LEARN ABOUT THE TACTICS OF A ROMANCE SCAMMER

Online dating has opened new doors for people looking for love, but it has also created opportunities for cybercriminals. Romance scammers are individuals or organized groups who use emotional manipulation to trick victims into sending them money or personal information.
Understanding the tactics of a romance scammer can help you spot warning signs early and keep your heart—and your finances—safe.

What Is a Romance Scammer?

A romance scammer is someone who creates a fake identity online, builds trust with a victim over time, and then exploits that trust for financial gain. These scammers operate on dating apps, social media, and even email. Their tactics are sophisticated and often emotionally devastating.

Common Tactics of a Romance Scammer

🚩 Creating a Fake but Attractive Profile

Scammers steal photos from real people—often models, military personnel, or business professionals—to build fake profiles. They craft compelling backstories that make them appear trustworthy and successful.

Sometimes the models are complicit with the fraud. 

Tip: Always reverse‑image search a profile picture to check if it appears elsewhere.

🚩 Love Bombing and Rapid Emotional Connection

Romance scammers often declare their love or deep affection very quickly. They shower victims with compliments, messages, and promises of a future together—this is known as love bombing.

Red Flag: If someone you’ve never met professes love within days or weeks, proceed with caution.

🚩 Avoiding In‑Person Meetings

Scammers almost always have a reason they can’t meet face‑to‑face. They may claim to be stationed overseas, working on an oil rig, or traveling for business. These excuses prevent you from verifying their identity.

Tip: Be wary of anyone who continuously dodges video calls or in‑person meetings.

🚩 Creating a Financial Emergency

Once trust is established, the scammer fabricates a crisis. Common stories include:

• Medical emergencies
• Travel expenses
• Business problems or customs fees
• A family member in trouble

They’ll insist they need money quickly and promise to pay you back.

Warning: Legitimate partners will not pressure you to send money, especially early in a relationship.

🚩 Using Emotional Manipulation

If you hesitate, a romance scammer often uses guilt, urgency, or even threats of ending the relationship to push you into sending funds. They exploit emotions like sympathy, fear, and love to achieve their goal.

🚩 Disappearing After Payment

Once the scammer receives the money—or as much as they think they can get—they vanish. They may block you, delete their profile, or simply stop responding.

How to Protect Yourself

✅ Verify identities before getting emotionally invested.
✅ Never send money or gift cards to someone you haven’t met in person.
✅ Keep conversations on secure platforms—scammers often ask you to switch to private messaging apps.
✅ Report suspicious profiles to the dating platform and local authorities.

Conclusions

Understanding the tactics of a romance scammer is your first line of defense. While most people online are genuine, staying vigilant can save you from heartbreak and financial loss. Always prioritize your safety, take things slow, and remember: true love will never ask you to send money.

IF YOU WERE SCAMMED AND NEED HELP, CONTACT US.