Sugarbook is a real, operating sugar dating service, but its record includes a 2021 founder arrest in Malaysia, a Google Play removal and an operator change that the company has not explained publicly. None of that makes it a scam, but it does mean you should check the details before paying.
Sugarbook was founded in 2016 in Kuala Lumpur by Darren Chan Eu Boon. Today the footer of the official site names a different operator, and several basic facts, from app availability to member numbers, differ depending on who you ask.
The short answer
Sugarbook exists, takes payments and verifies faces at sign-up, so it is not a fake site. The concerns are about transparency and follow-through: a changed legal entity, unresolved legal history, conflicting app-store claims and a small user pool according to outside estimates. Treat it as a legitimate but thinly documented service.
What we verified
| Signal | What the record shows | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Operator | Site footer names Sovrnt Ltd., Larnaca, Cyprus; DatingScout still lists "The Sugarbook" in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Date of change unverified | sugarbook.com, datingscout.com |
| Founded | 2016, Kuala Lumpur, by Darren Chan Eu Boon | wikipedia.org |
| Founder arrest | Arrested by Malaysian police on February 23, 2021 and held 10 days; pleaded not guilty. Outcome unverified | wikipedia.org, coconuts.co |
| Google Play | Banned from Google Play effective September 1, 2021; current availability conflicting | wikipedia.org |
| Apple App Store | Official site says it is not on the App Store; DatingScout claims iOS availability | sugarbook.com |
| Trustpilot | 2.8/5 from 36 reviews, 56% one-star | trustpilot.com |
| BBB | No profile found | Searches |
| Members | 6 million+ claimed by Sugarbook; DatingScout estimates about 5,000 US members, 3,000 active weekly | sugarbook.com, datingscout.com |
| Data breach | None found | Searches |
All checks made on September 30, 2026.
A few items deserve context. According to Wikipedia and Coconuts, the 2021 investigation concerned soliciting prostitution, spreading rumours and offensive content under Malaysia's Communications and Multimedia Act. We found no record of how the case ended. The same year, Malaysian internet providers blocked the site, and it briefly moved to sucrebook.com. In 2018, a Formula One sponsorship was cancelled over the controversy around the brand.
The official site now says the service is available on Android and as a web app (PWA). That may mean a direct Android download rather than the Play Store; we could not confirm which.
What users complain about most
- Face verification failures. Some users say the mandatory face check keeps rejecting them and locks them out. One Trustpilot reviewer wrote they "tried over 50 times but verification still failed."
- Hard to cancel. Reviewers report there is no cancel button in the app or on the web, and that they had to contact support.
- Slow or absent support. Unanswered tickets come up repeatedly.
- Scammers despite verification. Some users describe scammers running multiple verified profiles.
- A small pool. Reviewers mention seeing the same roughly 30 profiles again and again.
Billing, refund and failed-payment complaints also appear on PissedConsumer.
Red flags and how to protect yourself
- Know who you are paying. Your card statement and contract are with the entity named in the footer, currently Sovrnt Ltd. in Cyprus. Screenshot the footer and terms on the day you pay.
- Plan your cancellation first. DatingScout reports no full or partial refunds, and plans auto-renew at the standard, non-discount price. Find out how to cancel before you subscribe; see our Sugarbook pricing breakdown.
- Don't treat a badge as a guarantee. Sugarbook claims mandatory face verification and 24/7 moderation, and DatingScout describes a 24-hour approval process. A claim that about 85% of profiles are verified is unverified. Verification confirms a face, not intentions.
- Download only from the official site. Given the conflicting app-store picture, avoid look-alike apps and links sent in chat.
- Watch for money requests. Anyone asking for fees, gift cards or "verification" payments before meeting is a scam signal. Our scam avoidance guide covers the common scripts.
Who it suits — and who should skip it
Sugarbook may suit students, since it offers free Premium with a university or .edu email, and sugar babies, who register free. It may also suit people in regions where it is active and who are comfortable paying by card, Google Pay or Bitcoin.
Skip it if you need a large US pool (outside estimates are small), want an iPhone app from the App Store, or need a clear refund path. Our full Sugarbook review and best sugar dating apps list offer comparisons.
FAQ
Is Sugarbook a scam?
We found no evidence it is a fake site. It operates, verifies faces and charges for plans. The concerns are legal history, an unexplained operator change and user complaints about cancellation and support.
Who owns Sugarbook now?
The official site footer names Sovrnt Ltd. of Larnaca, Cyprus. When the change from the Malaysian entity happened is unverified.
What happened to Sugarbook's founder?
Darren Chan was arrested in Malaysia in February 2021, held for 10 days and pleaded not guilty. We could not verify how the case ended.
Is Sugarbook on the App Store or Google Play?
The official site says it is not on Apple's App Store and offers Android and a web app. Google Play banned it in 2021; other reviewers claim it is available, so the current status is unclear.