Relationship and trust · Also called dating scam, catfishing scam, sweetheart scam
Romance scam
A romance scam is when someone fakes a relationship online, on a dating app, social media, or a game, to win your trust and then ask for money. They always have a reason they cannot meet, and the requests grow: travel costs, medical bills, customs fees, or an investment they want you to join.
How it works
- The scammer creates an attractive fake profile, often claiming to work abroad, on an oil rig, in the military, or as a doctor overseas.
- They make contact on a dating app, social media, or a game, and quickly move the conversation to a private messaging app.
- They shower the victim with attention, declare strong feelings early, and ask them to keep the relationship private.
- Once trust is built, a crisis or opportunity appears that needs money, and the requests continue for as long as the victim pays.
Red flags
- They profess love or strong feelings very quickly.
- They say they live or work far away and always have a reason they cannot meet or turn on their camera.
- They ask for money for travel, a medical emergency, customs fees, or a visa, or suggest you invest together.
- They want payment by wire transfer, gift cards, a payment app, or cryptocurrency.
- Their profile photos appear under other names in a reverse image search.
If you are targeted
- Stop contact and do not send more money or gifts, however urgent the story.
- Contact your bank or payment provider straight away and ask whether any payments can be stopped or reversed.
- Report the profile to the dating app or social media site, and talk to someone you trust.
- Report it. Our Report a scam page lists where to report in your country, such as ic3.gov and ReportFraud.ftc.gov in the US.
- Expect recovery scams: anyone who contacts you offering to get your money back for a fee, including people claiming to be lawyers, regulators, or the FBI, is running a second scam.
Prevention
For individuals
- Never send money or gifts to someone you have not met in person.
- Do a reverse image search of the profile photo and search the person's name and stated job with the word scam.
- Talk to friends or family about a new online relationship, especially if you are asked to keep it secret.
For organisations
- Dating apps and social platforms can detect and remove fake profiles and warn users when a conversation moves off the platform or mentions money.
- Banks can ask customers making repeated transfers to someone they have never met how they know the recipient.
By the numbers
Figures are for the reporting category this scam falls under, not this scam alone.
| Confidence and romance scam losses reported to the FBI IC3 in 2025 | $929.3M | US, 2025, FBI IC3 |
| Romance scam losses in the UK in 2025 (authorised push payment) | £39.2M | GB, 2025, UK Finance |
| Romance scam losses reported in Australia in 2025 | A$139.9M | AU, 2025, ACCC |
Real cases
No documented case in the atlas yet. New cases are added as they are sourced.
How official datasets classify it
- FBI IC3
- Confidence/Romance
- FTC
- Romance Scams
- UK Finance
- Romance scam
- Scamwatch
- Relationship scams
Questions
- How do I know if I am talking to a romance scammer?
- Warning signs are fast declarations of love, a reason they can never meet or video chat, and any request for money. The FTC's rule is simple: never send money to a sweetheart you have not met in person.
- Can I get my money back from a romance scam?
- Contact your bank or payment provider immediately, as quick action gives the best chance. Be wary of anyone who later offers to recover the money for a fee.