How it works
How a romance scam unfolds
A romance scam is a fraud in which a person fakes a relationship to get money. It often starts on a dating app, but also on social media or with a "wrong number" text. The scammer uses stolen photos, a believable story and patience: many talk every day for weeks before they mention money.
The request comes with an emergency or an opportunity: a medical bill, a customs fee, a plane ticket to finally meet, or a "sure" crypto investment. Each payment leads to a new problem. The scammer wants payment that is hard to trace and to reverse: gift cards, wire transfers, crypto or payment apps.
Common types
Five dating scams to know
The faraway professional
The match claims to be deployed with the military, working on an oil rig, or a doctor overseas. The distance explains why they cannot meet, and why they need money for travel or fees.
Crypto investment romance
Also called "pig butchering". The match offers to teach you trading. A website shows big profits, but a withdrawal needs "taxes" or "fees", and the money never comes out.
Sextortion
The scammer gets intimate images, then threatens to send them to your contacts unless you pay. Paying rarely ends the threats. Stop replying, keep the evidence, and report it.
Fake verification links
A match asks you to "verify you are real" on an outside website that takes your card details or signs you up for a recurring charge.
The money mule request
The match asks you to receive money or packages and send them on. This can make you part of a crime, even if you lose no money yourself.
Free tool
Romance Scam Red Flag Checker
Tick every statement that is true for your match. Nothing you tick leaves your browser.
Money and payment signs
Behavior signs
Method: the 13 signs follow FTC and FBI romance scam guidance. Any money or payment sign gives a "stop" result; behavior signs are counted (1 to 2 = caution, 3 or more = high risk). A low count does not prove a match is real. Educational tool, not legal or financial advice.
Verify
How to verify a match in five steps
- Run a reverse image search. Search two or three of their photos. Photos under a different name or on a stock photo site are a clear warning.
- Ask for a live video call. Ask them to do something you choose, such as say your name. A recorded clip cannot follow an unexpected request.
- Search their name and story. Search their name with the word "scam", and search unusual phrases from their messages. Scammers reuse scripts.
- Talk to someone you trust. Tell a friend about the relationship. A match who wants secrecy is a warning sign.
- Keep the money rule. Never send money, gift cards or crypto to someone you have not met in person, whatever the reason.
The numbers
Reported losses grew more than seven times since 2019
Reported romance scam losses rose from $201 million in 2019 to $1.34 billion in 2022, dipped to $1.18 billion in 2023, then reached $1.49 billion in 2025 (FTC Consumer Sentinel data). The FTC notes that most fraud is never reported, so the real totals are higher.
If you paid
What to do if you already sent money
- Stop all payments and end contact.
- Call your bank, card issuer, gift card company or payment app at once and ask them to stop or reverse the payment.
- Keep every message, screenshot and receipt.
- Report the scam to the dating app, to the FTC at its ReportFraud website, and to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
- Expect "recovery" scams: anyone who offers to get your money back for a fee is usually part of the fraud.
FAQ
Common questions
How can I tell if an online match is a romance scammer?
The clearest sign is a request for money from someone you have never met in person. Fast declarations of love and excuses to avoid a live video call are other common signs.
Does a video call prove a match is real?
A live call is strong evidence, but not proof. Ask the person to do something you choose, such as say your name, because scammers can play recorded clips or use face-swap filters.
Will a real partner ever ask for gift cards or crypto?
No. The FTC warns that anyone who insists on payment by gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency is almost certainly a scammer, because these payments are hard to trace and to reverse.