Warning: These emojis could mean your partner is cheating according to a private investigator

Your partner's most-used emojis might reveal more than you think.

The Coldplay kiss-cam scandal – which saw a married boss and his alleged mistress caught in an embrace on the big screen – has become a global talking point.

But, while the story went viral, there may be a far less public and more discreet way to spot your partner is cheating.

A top private investigator told Fabulous the secret code cheaters are using to hide affairs on their phones.

While some go to extreme lengths to cover their tracks, others are using something far more subtle: emojis.

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According to Paul Jones from ARF Private Investigators, apps like WhatsApp and Snapchat have become a hotbed for hidden relationships, with secret codes, archived chats and sneaky symbols replacing the traditional love letter.

People often think of cheating as something obvious such as flirty photos, late nights or secret calls.

But Paul says many of the cases he works on start with something as small as a random emoji.

If you spot your partner using a series of specific emojis, it could be a sign they are playing away. Photo: istock

“It’s like their own language, one that their partner isn’t meant to understand.”

Sneaky symbols

He told The Sun: “Over the past year we’ve seen an increase in people using everyday symbols as a way to communicate without getting caught.

“On the surface, it might look innocent, but there’s usually a deeper meaning.”

One of the most common signs? A flurry of harmless-looking messages with the croissant or padlock emojis.

If these symbols are in your partner’s most-used emojis – found by clicking the emoji icon on the keyboard when typing a message – it could be an indicator they are being used for an affair.

These symbols may mean nothing to you, but to someone cheating, they are code for dinners, hook-ups, or secret messages.

Paul added: “We’ve had people using a croissant emoji as a way of saying ‘meet me for breakfast’, or the letter emoji as a subtle ‘text me when you’re free’.

“It’s like their own language, one that their partner isn’t meant to understand.”

Emojis to look out for

Here are just a few examples Paul has seen used in real cases:

The emojis that could be a sign your partner is unfaithful. Photo: Supplied

The private investigator added: “Used once or twice they don’t mean much.

“But when you see them appearing regularly in chats with the same person, especially late at night, they start to mean something more.”

Warning signs

So what phone habits should you look out for with your partner?

Paul continued: “Start with your gut.

“If your partner suddenly starts hiding their phone, keeping conversations short, or you notice new contacts with strange names or emojis, that’s when you should start asking questions.”

There are other ways to find out your partner is having an affair – Carla Bellucci had a decade-long affair with her now husband Gio, and she text Gio’s ex evidence of their relationship.

If you’re at a crossroads in your relationship, or feel you need advice and support, The Sun’s Dear Deidre team of qualified counsellors are available.

Read their advice for a woman who’s fallen pregnant with a wealthy man’s baby, who is struggling to come to terms with the fact he wants to take no responsibility for their baby.

There are signs you can look out for that your partner is cheating. Photo: istock

Four red flags your partner is cheating

Private Investigator Aaron Bond from BondRees revealed four warning signs your partner might be cheating.

They start to take their phone everywhere with them

In close relationships, it’s normal to know each other’s passwords and use each other’s phones, if their phone habits change then they may be hiding something.

Aaron says: “If your partner starts changing their passwords, starts taking their phone everywhere with them, even around the house or they become defensive when you ask to use their phone it could be a sign of them not being faithful.”

”You should also look at how they place their phone down when not in use. If they face the phone with the screen facing down, then they could be hiding something.”

They start telling you less about their day

When partners cheat they can start to avoid you, this could be down to them feeling guilty or because it makes it easier for them to lie to you.

“If you feel like your partner has suddenly begun to avoid you and they don’t want to do things with you any more or they stop telling you about their day then this is another red flag.”

“Partners often avoid their spouses or tell them less about their day because cheating can be tough, remembering all of your lies is impossible and it’s an easy way to get caught out,” says Aaron.

Their libido changes

Your partner’s libido can change for a range of reasons so it may not be a sure sign of cheating but it can be a red flag according to Aaron.

“Cheaters often have less sex at home because they are cheating, but on occasions, they may also have more sex at home, this is because they feel guilty and use this increase in sex to hide their cheating,” Aaron said.

“You may also find that your partner will start to introduce new things into your sex life that weren’t there before.”

They become negative towards you

Cheaters know that cheating is wrong and to them, it will feel good, this can cause tension and anxiety within themselves which they will need to justify.

“To get rid of the tension they feel inside they will try to convince themselves that you are the problem and they will become critical of you out of nowhere,” Aaron warns.

“Maybe you haven’t walked the dog that day, put the dishes away or read a book to your children before bedtime. A small problem like this can now feel like a big deal and if you experience this your partner could be cheating.”

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Warning: These emojis could mean your partner is cheating according to a private investigator