Romance scams are a form of emotional manipulation where scammers create fake profiles on dating and social media platforms to take advantage of people who may be seeking companionship. These scams have seen a dramatic increase in recent years, with staggering financial and emotional costs to victims.
In 2022 alone, the Federal Trade Commission reported that people lost an estimated $1.3 billion to romance scams, with the median reported loss amounting to $4,400. This trend underscores the importance of staying vigilant while engaging with potential partners online.
How Scammers Operate
Scammers typically craft convincing personas by stealing someone's identity or creating fake profiles. They often use stock photos and may provide elaborate explanations for why they can’t meet in person, such as being overseas or working in a remote location.
Once a scammer has gained your trust, they might request financial assistance, perhaps for an emergency or to plan a visit. They may also try to involve you in complex financial schemes by claiming they have "accidentally" sent you money and will then ask you to send it back or forward it to another account. If the initial payment is found to be fraudulent, you could be held responsible for the full amount.
Identifying Red Flags
- Too Fast, Too Soon: Be cautious if someone professes love quickly or wants to move the relationship forward at an unnatural pace.
- Avoids Meeting in Person: Watch out for continuous excuses about why they can't meet face-to-face.
- Requests for Money: Any requests for funds or financial information should raise immediate concerns.
- Vague or Repetitive Communication: Scammers often use scripted messages that may not directly respond to your questions.
- High-Quality Photos That Look Like Models: A quick reverse image search can help determine if the photos are stolen or stock images. To do this, click the “search by photo” icon when using the Google Search Engine and upload the photo when prompted.
When navigating the waters of online relationships, safeguarding your emotional and financial well-being is important. To ensure you stay secure while searching for love or friendship on the internet, consider the following:
- Never share personal or financial information with someone you haven't met in person.
- If you decide to meet, choose a public place and inform friends or family of your whereabouts.
- Talk to friends or family members about your online relationship; they may see red flags that you missed.
- No matter the story, do not send money or gifts to anyone you have only met online.
If you suspect a romance scam, report it to the FTC and the platform where you met the individual.
If you paid a romance scammer with a gift card, wire transfer, credit or debit card, or cryptocurrency, contact the company or your bank right away. Tell them you paid a scammer and ask them to refund your money.
If you think it’s a scam, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also notify the social networking site or app where you met the scammer, too.
It’s important to note that scammers prey on all types of relationships, not just romantic ones. Whether you're looking for love or friendship online, be sure to approach every new connection with caution.
For more information, visit the
FTC website!
