How Romance Scams Work

Romance scams, also known as dating scams, phishing, or love bait, are an increasingly common type of fraud. Scammers pretend to be in a relationship to gain your trust and steal your money.

These scams typically begin on dating apps (such as Tinder, Hinge, or Plenty of Fish) or social media platforms (such as Facebook and Instagram). Scammers usually use fake profiles (sometimes using stolen photos or impersonating celebrities) and send friendly or flirtatious messages to start a conversation. Once a connection is established, they quickly build an emotional bond—they will regularly text you, compliment you, and even discuss future prospects.

Their goal is to gain your trust so they can ask for money under false pretenses. These requests are usually related to emotional or urgent matters, such as family emergencies, travel problems, frozen bank accounts, or promising investment opportunities. Whether the pressure is subtle or aggressive, the ultimate goal is financial gain—the victim suffers emotional harm and financial ruin.

How to Recognize a Romance Scam

These days, almost all romantic relationships begin online. Online dating has become commonplace—but there are simple ways to protect yourself.

Their profiles or photos look suspicious: Scammers often use fake or stolen images. Their profiles may appear blurry, overly perfect, or inconsistent. A reverse image search can reveal whether their photos can be found elsewhere.

They pretend to be abroad: In many phishing scams, someone claims to work overseas—in the military, on an oil rig, or on international business. This explains why they can't meet in person and provides an excuse to ask for money later.

They avoid video calls: Avoiding video calls can be a warning sign. While poor connectivity or shyness can sometimes be genuine, repeated excuses should be taken seriously.

They ask for money: All romance scams end with a request for money. The amount may start small but gradually increase over time. Be wary of messages like, "I just need your help this time." • "I'll pay you back as soon as possible." • "You're the only person I can trust." These messages are designed to make you feel guilty or responsible. They often use emotional stories, such as a sick relative, a lost passport, or an investment opportunity, to lure you into sending money. They offer investment opportunities: Some dating and romance scams involve investment fraud. Scammers first build emotional trust and then suggest investing in cryptocurrencies or online trading platforms. These are all fake, designed to steal your money.

Common Types of Romance Scams

Romantic Bait (Also Known as the “Pig Scam”)

Scammers build an emotional connection with their victims and slowly persuade them to invest. Once they have the money, they disappear. Scammers call it a “pig scam,” but we prefer to call it a “romantic bait” because that shifts the blame onto them.

Celebrity Romance Scams

In these scams, scammers impersonate celebrities, using fake or secret accounts. They first send friendly messages to fans, then ask for money after a while. They often claim they can't access the account or need urgent personal assistance.

Military, Oil Worker, or Business Scams

Victims of these scams impersonate professionals, military personnel, oil rig workers, or high-ranking businessmen stranded abroad. They initially seem trustworthy but eventually claim they need travel, documents, or urgent financial assistance.