In romance scams, a scammer builds an emotional relationship online to gain trust, then asks for money or financial help. These scams build over a long period of time, during which the scammer(s) use psychological manipulation to gain the victim’s confidence and trust. They often promise a future together, they make plans with the victim, and pose as wealthy or well-off individuals who can repay any temporary loan without difficulties.
How it typically happens
- The scammer initiates contact via dating apps or social media
- They quickly move the conversation off-platform (for example, via phone calls or WhatsApp)
- They build emotional connection fast
- Once they have your trust, they introduce a crisis or a financial need
- They eventually request money, gift cards, or crypto.
The red flags
- The scammer refuses video calls or always has excuses, especially in moments of “crisis”
- They claim to be in the military, overseas, or in dangerous situations
- They have sudden emergencies where they need money that you only can provide
- They request for wire transfers, crypto, or other forms of money that is rarely sent to accounts in their own name
What you can do
- Stop all communications immediately
- Don’t send any money or personal documents
- Don’t open a loan or a mortgage in your name while trying to help
- Reverse the transactions whenever possible
- Report the profile and save all the evidence of communications
Useful articles on Online Scams
- What is an online scam?
- Types of online scams
- Scam victimology: why did they pick me?
- How scammers choose their targets
- Why so many scams go unreported
- Scam cases that made the news
- AI and the next wave of scams
Useful articles on Romance Scams
- The Yahoo Boys
- Social media crimes: the Tinder swindler
- Social media crimes: the case of Manti Te’o
- Deepfake celebrity scams
