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Romance Scam
Someone you meet online may seem caring and attentive, but their true goal may be to gain your trust and eventually ask for money.
What Is a Romance Scam?
A scammer creates a fake online profile, often using attractive photos and a believable life story, to reach out on a dating site, app, or social media.
Over weeks or months, they build an emotional relationship through frequent messages and calls, showing interest and affection to earn your trust.
Eventually, they invent a crisis or opportunity that requires money. This can happen to anyone, regardless of experience with technology, because it is the emotional bond, not a lack of tech savvy, that makes it convincing.
Example — Not a Real Message
"I have never felt this close to anyone before. I wish I could see you, but my job overseas makes video calls impossible right now. I hate to ask, but I'm short on money for a plane ticket to finally come visit you, could you help?"
This message is a fictional example created for educational purposes only. It does not reference a real person, phone number, or account.
Warning Signs of a Romance Scam
Many romance scams follow similar patterns. Watch for these signs.
Quick Declarations of Love
Says "I love you" or talks about a future together within days or weeks of meeting online.
Avoids Video Calls
Always has an excuse for why a video call or in-person meeting isn't possible.
Vague or Inconsistent Details
Story about their job, location, or family changes or doesn't add up.
Sudden Emergency
Introduces an urgent crisis, like a medical bill or stuck shipment, needing quick help.
Requests for Money
Asks for money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, even though you've never met in person.
What Should You Do?
1
Pause before sending any money, no matter how urgent the request feels.
2
Verify the person's identity independently, try a reverse image search of their photos or ask questions only the real person could answer.
3
Talk to a trusted friend or family member about the relationship before making any financial decisions.
Remember This
Someone who consistently avoids meeting in person or on video may not be who they claim to be.
Why This Scam Works
Romance scams succeed by exploiting emotional connection and loneliness. Building trust over time makes the eventual request for money feel like a natural next step in a real relationship, rather than a warning sign.
Related Scams
These scams use similar tactics and are worth learning about too.
Fake Social Media Profile
A scammer builds a convincing but fake profile to connect with strangers online.
Fake Charity Scam
A scammer poses as a charity to collect donations that never reach a real cause.
Trusted Sources
This page draws on educational guidance from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), which track and explain romance scam patterns.
Last reviewed: September 2026.