Romance Scam: How It Works, Warning Signs & What To Do
Fake romantic relationships used to manipulate victims into sending money.
Romance scams involve criminals creating fake identities on dating sites, social media, or messaging apps to form romantic relationships with victims, then manipulating them into sending money. Scammers often pose as military members stationed overseas, successful professionals working abroad, or attractive singles looking for love. They build emotional connections over weeks or months, then create emergencies requiring financial help—medical bills, travel expenses to visit, business opportunities, or family crises. Some romance scams evolve into pig butchering investment frauds. The FTC reported romance scam losses of $1.14 billion in 2023, with a median loss of $2,000 per victim—the highest losses of any imposter scam category.
How It Works
- 1Scammer creates fake profile on dating site or reaches out via social media
- 2Quickly expresses strong feelings and talks of long-term future together
- 3Claims to be working abroad, in military, or traveling for business
- 4Builds emotional connection through daily messages and declarations of love
- 5Creates urgent situation requiring money: medical emergency, travel costs, business deal
- 6Requests money via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency
- 7May ask victim to receive and forward money or packages (money mule)
- 8Continues pattern of crisis and requests for money until victim runs out of funds
Warning Signs (Red Flags)
- Professes love very quickly, often within days or weeks
- Refuses to meet in person or video chat, with escalating excuses
- Claims to work overseas or be in military in remote location
- Photos seem too perfect or are stolen from models/actors
- Stories become increasingly dramatic: accidents, legal troubles, kidnapped relatives
- Asks for money via untraceable methods like wire transfers or gift cards
- Needs money for emergency but family and friends are inexplicably unavailable
- Uses poor grammar or language that suggests non-native speaker
What To Do If Targeted
- Stop all communication and do not send any more money
- Report to the dating site or platform where you met
- Report to FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Report to FBI IC3 at https://www.ic3.gov
- Contact your bank if you sent money via wire transfer or check
- Report gift card scam to card company and retail store where purchased
- Save all messages, photos, and transaction records as evidence
- Warn your contacts to prevent the scammer from targeting others
Real Cases
Ghana-Based Romance and BEC Ring
AllegedSDNY unsealed an indictment charging four Ghanaian nationals with operating a criminal organization that ran romance scams and business email compromises from 2016 to May 2023. Prosecutors allege the ring stole and laundered more than $100 million from dozens of US victims, many of whom were vulnerable older adults. Three defendants were extradited from Ghana; one remained at large. One member, Abdul-Malik Yusif Mudassar, received an 85-month prison sentence in July 2026 after pleading guilty. The organization allegedly used victims as money mules to launder funds from other victims.
View Official SourceFrequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if someone I met online is a scammer?
Do a reverse image search of their photos—scammers often steal images from models or other people. Insist on a video call early in the relationship; scammers typically refuse or make endless excuses. Be skeptical of anyone who quickly professes love or talks about meeting in person but then has emergencies preventing it. Never send money to someone you haven't met in person.
I sent money to a romance scammer. Can I get it back?
Recovery is difficult but you should act immediately. Contact your bank or payment service to report fraud and attempt reversal. If you used gift cards, report to the card company and retailer. File reports with FBI IC3 and FTC. Some banks and services may offer limited recovery options if reported quickly. Most losses are permanent, but reporting helps law enforcement track these operations.
Why do romance scams target older adults?
Scammers perceive older adults as having more savings and being less familiar with online dating red flags. FTC data shows romance scams disproportionately affect people over 50. However, people of all ages fall victim to these scams. The emotional manipulation is sophisticated and exploits universal human desires for connection and companionship.
See a Scam? Report It
Report suspected scams to law enforcement to help protect others and aid investigations.