Romance Scams
Last updated September 18, 2026
The short answer
Someone you met online is asking you for money. They may have spent weeks or months building trust first. This is one of the most common scams, and it works because the emotional connection feels real.
How it works
- 1
They find you online
They reach out on a dating app, social media, or even a game. Their profile looks real: attractive photos, a believable story.
- 2
They build a relationship fast
They text constantly, say "I love you" early, and talk about a future together. They mirror what you want to hear.
- 3
They always have an excuse not to meet
They can't video call. They can't meet up. Common stories: working on an oil rig, deployed overseas, traveling for work.
- 4
A "crisis" comes up
Suddenly they need money. A medical bill. Stuck in another country. Legal trouble. The story creates urgency and pulls on your emotions.
- 5
The requests keep coming
Once you send money, more emergencies follow. They promise to pay you back or visit soon. That never happens.
Warning signs
- They refuse to video call or always have "camera problems"
- Their photos look like a model (try a reverse image search)
- They say "I love you" within days or weeks
- They claim to be American but their writing feels off
- They're always overseas: military, oil rig, humanitarian work
- A sudden crisis requires you to send money urgently
- They want payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or crypto
- They get angry or guilt-trip you when you ask questions
What it looks like
"Military officer" stationed overseas
You match with someone on a dating app who says they're in the military, deployed abroad. After weeks of daily messages, they ask you to send money for a "leave application fee" so they can come visit you. The fee keeps changing: first $500, then $2,000 for "processing."
"Successful investor" who wants to help you
Someone on Instagram starts commenting on your posts, then moves to DMs. They claim to be a successful crypto investor and want to help you make money. After building trust, they ask you to invest through a platform they recommend. The platform is fake.
"Widowed engineer" working on an oil rig
A person on Facebook says they're a widowed engineer working on an offshore oil rig. They can't video call because of "bad satellite internet." After two months of daily conversations, they say they need $3,000 to fix equipment before they can come home.
What to do
- Stop all contact with the person immediately.
- Don't send any more money, even if they threaten or beg.
- Call your bank and ask about reversing recent transfers.
- If you sent gift cards, call the gift card company with the card numbers.
- Save all messages, emails, photos, and transaction records.
- Report it to the FTC and FBI IC3 (links below).
Who gets targeted
Romance scammers target people of all ages. They look for anyone who seems open to connection, whether recently divorced, widowed, or just looking for companionship. Having money isn't required. Scammers adjust their asks to what they think you can afford.
Being targeted doesn't mean you did something wrong. These scammers are professionals who manipulate emotions for a living.
By the numbers
- $929 million lost to romance and confidence scams in 2025
- FBI IC3, 2026
- People 60 and over lost $584 million of that $929 million
- FBI IC3, 2026
- Nearly 60% of people who lost money to a romance scam in 2025 said it started on social media
- FTC, 2026
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if an online relationship is a romance scam?
Key signs: they refuse to video call, they fell in love unusually fast, they're always overseas with excuses not to meet, and eventually ask for money. Do a reverse image search on their photos. Romance scammers typically use stolen photos.
Can I get my money back from a romance scam?
If you paid by credit card, contact your card company about a chargeback. Wire transfers and gift card payments are much harder to recover. Report to the FTC and FBI IC3 immediately. In some cases, wire transfers can be reversed if caught within 24-48 hours.
Why do people fall for romance scams?
Romance scammers are professionals who exploit human emotions. They invest weeks or months building genuine-feeling connections. Being scammed is not about intelligence. It's about being targeted by someone who manipulates trust and emotional vulnerability.
Companies used in romance scams
These are the brands scammers hide behind in this scam. Each guide covers what that company will never ask you for, and how to report it to them directly.