Romance scams are on the rise—and they’re costing victims billions of dollars every year. These scams typically begin on dating apps, social media platforms, or even through unsolicited messages. What starts as a seemingly genuine connection can quickly turn into a carefully orchestrated scheme designed to exploit trust and emotions.
Scammers often spend weeks or even months building a relationship. They may shower you with attention, affection, and promises about the future to create a strong emotional bond. Once trust is established, they begin asking for money—often under the guise of urgent or sympathetic situations, such as medical emergencies, travel expenses to come visit you, sudden financial hardships, or even “can’t-miss” investment opportunities.
Common warning signs to watch for:
- Requests for money through hard-to-trace methods like wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency
- Reluctance or outright refusal to meet in person or participate in live video calls
- Stories that involve sudden emergencies or urgent financial needs
- Inconsistent details in their story or profile
- Professions that conveniently explain why they can’t meet (e.g., deployed military, offshore worker, international contractor)
- Pressure to act quickly or keep the relationship a secret
How to protect yourself:
- Never send money, gifts, or financial information to someone you’ve only met online
- Take your time getting to know someone—scammers rely on rushing emotional connections
- Verify their identity by doing reverse image searches or asking to video chat
- Talk to a trusted friend or family member if something feels off
- Be especially cautious if the person quickly expresses strong feelings or tries to move the conversation off the platform
If you suspect a romance scam, stop communication immediately and report the account to the platform you’re using. You can also report it to consumer protection agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Finally consult with a trusted friend or family member. Often a third party can be helpful in identifying a scam.
Bottom line: If someone you’ve never met in real life asks you for money—no matter how convincing their story is—it’s almost certainly a scam.
