Romance Scams
A stranger builds an online relationship over weeks, then invents an emergency and asks for money.
Think a message like this reached you? You can check it right now.
What this scam is
A scammer creates a fake profile and builds a romantic relationship over weeks or months. Once you trust them, they invent an emergency — a medical bill, a stuck shipment, travel costs — and ask you to send money. The requests never stop.
What it usually looks like
- Someone you have never met in person professes strong feelings quickly.
- They always have a reason they cannot video chat or meet.
- Eventually they need money for an emergency or a plan to be together.
Common warning signs
- They avoid meeting or video calling.
- The relationship moves very fast emotionally.
- They ask for money, gift cards, or help moving funds.
Example wording scammers use
“My love, I would never ask, but I'm stranded overseas and need $2,000 to get home to you.”
These are illustrative examples written by ScamSplain, not real messages.
What the scammers want
- Money sent by wire, gift card, or cryptocurrency.
- Sometimes to use you to move money for others.
What to do
- Slow down and talk to someone you trust about the relationship.
- Never send money or gifts to someone you have not met in person.
- Try a reverse image search of their photos.
What to do if you already responded
- Stop sending money and stop contact.
- If you moved money for them, you may have been used in a crime — contact your bank.
- Report the profile to the platform and to the FTC.