Romance scams occur when criminals create fake romantic relationships online to gain someone's trust and steal their money or personal information.
Scammers may:
Knowing the warning signs can help you protect yourself.
A genuine person communicates consistently, respects your boundaries, and does not pressure you for money or sensitive information. They are willing to verify their identity and respect your decision to take things slowly.
A scammer may claim to love you after a short time, make excuses to avoid meeting in person, and eventually ask for money to cover an emergency, travel expenses, or an investment. They may use emotional pressure to discourage you from questioning their story.
Remember: emotional connection does not guarantee someone's identity or intentions. Never send money to someone you have not independently verified.
Scammers use emotional manipulation and trust to make their victims more likely to send money or share private information. They often take their time building a relationship before making financial requests.
The scammer creates a convincing profile on a dating app, social media platform, or website, often using stolen photographs and fabricated personal details.
The scammer communicates frequently, expresses strong feelings, and creates a sense of closeness. They may avoid video calls or meeting in person while making excuses for their absence.
The scammer invents a financial emergency, requests travel expenses, or promotes a fraudulent investment. After receiving money, they may continue asking for more or disappear.
Romance scams can begin in many places, including:
Anyone seeking companionship or connection can encounter a romance scam. Scammers may target people who:
However, it's important to know that anyone can fall victim.
If an online relationship seems suspicious, take these steps:
Being scammed can happen to anyone. You do not need to feel ashamed for trusting someone. Acting quickly may help limit the damage, and reporting the incident can help protect others.
Watch for a combination of warning signs, such as rapid declarations of affection, repeated excuses to avoid meeting, requests for money, and pressure to keep the relationship secret. You can check their photographs and independently verify their claims, but no single test can conclusively establish someone's intentions. Never send money to someone based solely on an online relationship.
Scammers often invent emergencies involving medical expenses, travel, legal problems, or financial difficulties. Others promote fraudulent investments or claim that a payment is needed to resolve a problem. These stories are designed to exploit trust and create pressure to send money.
Contact your bank or payment provider immediately and ask whether the payment can be stopped or recovered. Save messages and transaction records, report the account to the platform, and file a report with the FTC. Be cautious of anyone who promises to recover your money in exchange for an upfront fee, as recovery scams often target previous victims.
