Romance Scams

Romance scams happen when a scammer builds a relationship online and then uses trust and emotion to ask for money, gifts, or personal information. They often move quickly, communicate constantly, and create a strong “us against the world” connection to make requests feel normal and urgent.

A common pattern starts on dating apps or social media, then shifts to private messaging (SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram). They may avoid video calls, have excuses for why they can’t meet, and share dramatic stories (family emergencies, travel issues, medical bills, or being “stuck overseas”) to explain why they need financial help.

Examples include: asking you to pay for a flight or visa, requesting money for hospital fees, needing help to “unlock” a bank account, or asking you to receive and forward money or parcels. Some scammers also try to collect identity information (photos of IDs, your address, workplace details) or ask for private images they can later use for blackmail.

To protect yourself, slow down and verify who you’re speaking with. Be cautious if someone declares strong feelings very quickly, refuses to video chat, or keeps creating urgent financial crises. Never send money, gift cards, crypto, or bank details to someone you haven’t met and verified. If you’re unsure, talk to a trusted friend or family member and consider reporting the profile to the platform.