Romance scammers’ favorite lies exposed
Romance scammers pose as potential partners on dating apps and social media to build fake relationships and extract money. They use lies about their identity, location, and circumstances to manipulate victims into sending cash, cryptocurrency, or gift cards.
Scammers contact you on dating apps or social media, often moving conversations to WhatsApp or Telegram. They build trust by mirroring your interests and goals, then create an excuse why they cannot meet in person (military deployment, oil rig work). They then ask you to send money for an investment opportunity, a fake package delivery fee, help with an emergency, or pose as a successful crypto investor offering to teach you. Some also request explicit photos and later threaten to share them unless you pay.
- Cannot meet in person and gives excuses like military base or offshore job
- Asks you to send money via cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or gift cards
- Moves conversation quickly from dating app to WhatsApp or Telegram
- Offers to teach you cryptocurrency investing or guarantees returns
- Claims to have shipped you a package requiring upfront fees
- Requests explicit photos or threatens to share them with contacts
Do not send money to anyone you have not met in person, no matter the reason. Reverse image search their profile photos to verify identity. Tell friends or family about the new relationship and listen if they express concern. Report suspicious profiles to the dating app or social media platform, then file a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you are being extorted with intimate images, also report to the FBI.