Online romance scams take place not just through dating apps but also through social media or any other way. Their main goal is to contact you. Once the contact is made, they introduce themselves using fictitious names and tell you that they are either a doctor or military personnel or work abroad (which is not at all true); anything to lure you in.


Romance scammers will profess intense feelings for you in a short period and recommend that you take your connection off the internet and into a more secure communication channel, such as cellphone, mail, or instant messaging.


Scammers will make considerable efforts to pique your interest and gain your trust, including lavishing you with affection, giving ‘private information,’ and even delivering you gifts. They may spend a long time building what appears to be a once-in-a-lifetime relationship, even buying tickets to see you but never showing up.

When they have your trust and your guards are down, they will ask you for money, presents, or your banking/credit card information (either discreetly or outright). The fraudster often claims that the money is needed for a personal emergency. They may, for example, pretend to have a seriously ill relative who requires immediate medical attention, such as a costly operation.

The scammer may even say that they wish to visit you but are unable to do so because they can’t afford it at the moment and ask you to send the money instead.