Romance
Romance Scam
Someone you met online builds a relationship, then asks for money for an emergency.
How it works
You meet someone on a dating site, social media, or a game, and they are warm, attentive, and quick to talk about love. They always have a reason they cannot meet in person or video chat. After weeks or months of building trust, an emergency comes up, a medical bill, a travel cost, a business deal, and they ask you to help with money. The person and the story are not real.
Warning signs
- Falls for you very quickly online
- Always has an excuse not to meet or video chat
- Says they work overseas or on an oil rig or in the military
- Moves the chat off the dating site fast
- Eventually asks for money or gift cards
- Asks you to receive or forward money for them
The newer AI trick
Scammers use AI to create fake photos and even live video that looks like a real person, and AI chat tools let them keep up loving conversations with many victims at once.
What to do
- Slow down and do not send any money or gift cards.
- Do a reverse image search of their photos.
- Talk to a trusted friend or family member about the person.
- Stop contact if they refuse to meet or keep asking for money.
If they are still on the line: Do not send money and do not share financial details. It is safest to stop responding entirely. A real partner will not ask you to fund emergencies you cannot verify.
How to report it
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or 1-877-382-4357, and to the FBI at ic3.gov. For elder-specific help, call the DOJ Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311.