Romance & Relationship Scams
Scammers build fake relationships over weeks or months to gain your trust — then take everything. The emotional damage can be just as devastating as the financial loss.
How the Relationship Builds
Romance scammers create attractive, believable profiles on dating websites, social media, or even send unexpected messages. The fake person — often claiming to be a widowed professional, a military officer overseas, or a successful engineer working abroad — makes you feel genuinely valued and loved.
Over days, weeks, and even months, they call and message constantly, share personal stories, express deep feelings, and talk about a future together. They are attentive, kind, and "perfect" — because they are playing a character designed specifically to appeal to you.
Then the crisis hits. They urgently need money — for a medical emergency, a plane ticket to finally come meet you, a business problem, or to clear customs on a shipment. The request feels reasonable after all the intimacy that has been built. That is the trap.
⚠️ Key Warning
If someone you have only met online asks you for money — no matter how long you have been talking, no matter how real the relationship feels — it is almost certainly a scam. Real romantic partners do not ask for wire transfers or gift cards.
Pig Butchering: Romance Meets Crypto Fraud
"Pig butchering" is the cruelest version of romance fraud. The name comes from the idea of "fattening the pig before slaughter." It combines a long-term fake romantic relationship with an elaborate cryptocurrency investment scheme.
After weeks of building trust and affection, your new "partner" casually mentions they have been making great money through a special cryptocurrency trading platform. They offer to show you how. You make a small investment and see big (fake) gains on a fraudulent website. You invest more. You invite friends or family to invest. The platform shows you earning tens of thousands.
When you try to withdraw, you're told to pay "taxes" or "fees" first. After you pay, they disappear — along with every dollar you invested. The platform was fake. The profits were fake. The relationship was fake.
$1.3 Billion
Lost to romance scams in 2022 according to the FTC — more than any other fraud category. People aged 50–59 report the highest losses per person.
Warning Signs
- •Never meets in person: Always has an excuse — working overseas, military deployment, family emergency. Video calls are blurry or always get "cut off."
- •Moves very fast: Declares love or deep feelings within days or weeks. Wants to move off the dating app immediately.
- •Profile seems too perfect: Reverse image search often reveals the photos belong to a real person whose identity was stolen.
- •Asks for money: Any request for wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or "helping out" financially is a major red flag.
- •Discourages you from talking to others: Tries to isolate you from family and friends who might raise doubts.
What To Do
✅ Reverse Image Search
Right-click on any profile photo and search Google Images or TinEye. If the photo appears under a different name, you are talking to a scammer.
✅ Talk to Someone You Trust
Share the situation with a trusted family member or friend before sending any money. Fresh eyes often see warning signs that emotions can hide.
✅ Report It
Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the dating site or social media platform. If money was lost, report to the FBI at ic3.gov. You are not alone — and reporting helps protect others.
⚠️ No Shame in This
Romance scammers are professionals. They study psychology, they are patient, and they are skilled at making people feel deeply loved. Being victimized by one does not reflect on your intelligence or character.