Between 2022 and 2023 alone, romance scammers swindled over $1.3 billion from unsuspecting victims, according to data released by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. They didn’t need masks or guns, just internet access, stolen photos, and sweet words that melt away suspicion.
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These scammers play a long, role-playing game, weaving stories so convincing that even the most cautious person can get trapped. Whether they promise eternal love or a ticket to paradise, the goal is always the same: empty the wallets of their “clients” and vanish without a trace.
Despite widespread awareness campaigns explaining how these scams operate, people continue to fall for them. One reason is that many romance scams are extremely difficult to spot in the early stages. Romance scams, like tech support scams, often target the elderly, particularly in wealthier regions where scammers believe victims have access to savings or retirement funds. According to the FBI, romance fraud has become a structured and organised operation in parts of Africa and other regions, operating almost like a full-time business.
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In some cases, individuals spend entire days behind computers or phones searching for victims until they “hit the jackpot.” Here are ten warning signs to spot them before they shatter both your heart and your bank account.
10. Their Profile Photos Look Too Perfect
Most romance scammers do not use their real photos. Instead, they steal images of models, actors, or unsuspecting people from social media platforms. Sometimes they even take family photos from Facebook or Instagram accounts. The FTC reports that scammers often choose images carefully to match a victim’s preferences, making them harder to question
Scammers also study your likes, comments, and friend list to tailor their fake identity.
In one case, an Australian man believed he was dating an Eastern European model. Every photo looked professionally taken. A reverse image search later showed the same images on a modelling agency website. The woman in the photos had no idea he existed
Note: If their photos look flawless, verify them. Reverse image searches can save both your heart and your wallet.
9. The Rush to Leave the Dating App
A common scam tactic is pushing conversations off dating platforms to WhatsApp, Telegram, or email. Dating apps monitor messages for scam patterns, so scammers want to move you away from moderation as fast as possible
Once off-platform, they can delete their dating profile and disappear.
A woman in Texas reported that her match insisted on switching to email within hours, claiming his dating subscription was expiring. Days later, he began asking about her finances
Note: If someone pushes too hard to leave the app, keep the conversation where it started.
8. Falling in Love Before They Know You
Romance scammers often express intense affection early to lower your guard. According to the FBI, rapid emotional attachment is one of the most common manipulation tactics. A UK retiree received love messages just three days after meeting a “widowed businessman” online. Within a week, he called her his wife. Two weeks later, he asked for money
Note: Real love takes time. Instant devotion is a warning sign.
7. The Meet-Up That Never Happens
Scammers may agree to calls, sometimes even using AI-generated voices or manipulated video. FTC reports show a rise in romance scams involving synthetic audio and video. In Florida, a woman planned to meet her online partner after eight months. The night before, he claimed he was detained at an airport and needed $3,000 for legal fees. She sent it and never heard from him again
Note: Constant excuses for not meeting are a major red flag.
6. The Sudden Emergency
Most romance scams end with a financial crisis story. The FTC notes that medical bills, legal trouble, or school fees are among the most common excuses. A Canadian man wired $5,000 for his online partner’s “surgery” overseas. Her phone went offline the next day
Note: A real partner would not treat your wallet as an emergency fund.
5. The Fake Visit
Some scammers send fake flight bookings or passport scans. Just before the visit, they claim to be arrested or stuck at customs. A German man lost €2,200 trying to help his online girlfriend leave airport detention in Lagos
Note: Never pay travel fees for someone you have not met.
4. The Inheritance or Investment Hook
Scammers may claim access to frozen inheritance funds or exclusive investments. The FTC warns that crypto and fake investment platforms are now common in romance scams. A widower in New Zealand lost $80,000 to a fake crypto trading site controlled by scammers
Note: If the opportunity comes from someone you never met, it is a trap.
3. The Dangerous Photo Request
Scammers often use intimate images for blackmail. The Better Business Bureau reports a rise in sextortion linked to romance scams. A UK student was blackmailed for £1,000 after sending private photos to someone she met on Instagram.
Note: Never send explicit images to someone you have not met.
2. The “Dream Job” Backstory
Scammers often claim to be military officers, doctors, oil engineers, or wealthy professionals. The FTC confirms these roles are commonly used to gain trust. A widow in California lost $12,000 to a fake U.S. Army captain requesting “emergency leave fees”
Note: Glamorous and distant jobs often signal a scam.
1. They Message You First
Scammers typically initiate contact after studying potential victims’ profiles. A South African woman accepted a Facebook request and received daily love messages within hours. A week later, money requests followed
Note: Fast affection from a stranger deserves caution.
Romance scammers are patient, strategic, and constantly evolving. Recently in Ghana, a group of scammers was arrested in connection with romance fraud totalling over $100 million, highlighting how lucrative and organised this crime has become.
Many people genuinely find love online, but others meet financial and emotional ruin. Love should make you feel safe, not anxious. When money flows one way and trust is demanded quickly, step back. Involve a third party if needed. Walking away early can save both your heart and your future.
