Online dating safety: Spot romance scams before they get pricey

How romance scams typically unfold

Scammers spend weeks building an intimate relationship — using stolen photos, a touching life story, and daily messages. Once trust has been established, a crisis emerges: an accident, a stuck package, a flight ticket, or a “secure” investment. At the end of the day, it always comes down to money. People of all ages are affected, and being targeted has nothing to do with naivety — these scams are highly professional.

Warning signs

• The person gushes about great love or a shared future very quickly.
• They want to move the conversation from the dating platform to a messenger app right away.
• Video calls never work — the camera is allegedly broken or the connection is too poor.
• They claim to live or work far away, e.g., abroad, on an oil rig, or in the military.
• A sudden crisis occurs, and you are the only one who can help with money.
• They mention incredible profits from cryptocurrency and want to “show you how it’s done.”

Checking profiles

• Reverse image search the profile photos. If they appear under other names, the profile is fake.
• Look for inconsistencies in their story, times, and locations.
• Suggest a short video call. If they constantly decline, they usually have something to hide.

Protecting your data

• Avoid sharing your address, employer, or full name initially.
• Use a separate email address for dating apps.
• Check your photos before sending them — they may reveal your location. Our Photo Check shows and removes this metadata.
• Never send intimate images to someone you haven’t met in person. They are sometimes used for blackmail.

The most important rule

Do not transfer money, do not buy gift cards, and do not invest anything for someone you have never met in person — no matter how good the story sounds.

Meeting someone for the first time safely

Meet in a public place, let a trusted person know where you are, and arrange your own transport to and from the meeting.

If you are affected

• Cut off contact and stop paying — even for alleged “recovery services” claiming they can get your money back. This is often the next stage of the scam.
• Secure messages, profiles, and payment receipts.
• Report the profile to the platform and file a police report.
• Talk to someone you trust. Feeling embarrassed is understandable, but you have been the victim of a crime.

Our First Aid page shows you the next steps.