Romance Scam
A fabricated online relationship, built over weeks or months, designed to manipulate you into sending money.
What is a romance scam?
A romance scam starts like any online connection: a match on a dating app, a friend request, a direct message. But the person behind the profile isn't who their photos suggest. Over time, they build real emotional intimacy, only to use it to ask for money, sometimes for a single 'emergency,' sometimes by drawing you into a fake investment alongside the relationship.
How it works
- 1
A profile, often using stolen photos of an attractive, successful-looking person, reaches out or matches with you.
- 2
The relationship moves quickly: daily messages, declarations of affection, and plans for a future together.
- 3
Video calls and in-person meetings are always just out of reach, blamed on work, travel, or unreliable internet.
- 4
A crisis eventually appears: a medical emergency, a stuck shipment, a frozen account, anything that requires money urgently.
- 5
Once you've sent money once, further requests tend to follow, sometimes shifting into 'let's invest together' territory.
Warning signs to watch for
They profess strong feelings very quickly, often within days or weeks
They consistently avoid video calls or meeting in person
Their story has small inconsistencies that don't quite add up
They have a sudden, urgent need for money, and a reason you shouldn't discuss it with anyone else
They ask for payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer rather than traceable methods
How to protect yourself
Reverse image search their profile photos before you invest emotionally
Be cautious of anyone who won't get on a video call
Never send money to someone you haven't met in person, no matter how long you've spoken
Talk to a friend or family member before sending money to someone you've met online
Treat any mention of 'investing together' as a serious red flag
Has this already happened to you?
However it happened, you're not the first, and it's not your fault. Stop all contact and payments, keep every message and transaction record, and report the profile to the platform it was on. Then reach out to us. Our team has helped people recover money lost this way before, and we'll tell you honestly what's realistic in your case.
Romance Scam questions
I'm too embarrassed to explain this to my bank. Do I have to?
Being honest about what happened genuinely helps your case, and our team has heard it before. Small omissions can weaken a case later during escalation.
What if I never met them in person or know their real name?
That's extremely common, and it doesn't stop us from investigating. We focus on tracing where the money actually went.
Can I still get help if this has been going on for over a year?
Often, yes. Older cases can be harder to trace, but it's always worth a free eligibility check rather than assuming too much time has passed.
What if I'm still not sure it was a scam?
That's exactly what an eligibility check is for. Tell us what happened, and we'll give you an honest read on it.
Other scam types
“I was too embarrassed to tell anyone what had happened. They never once made me feel foolish, they just got to work.”
— Carla M., client
Think this might be what happened to you?
Start with a free eligibility check, we'll tell you honestly whether there's a case worth pursuing.