Looking for Love? 3 Big Romance Scam Signs to Watch For
You met someone wonderful on Facebook, a dating app, or even through a random game on your tablet. They are charming, attentive, and seem to share all of your interests. But weeks go by, and despite your deep connection, they always have a tragic excuse for why they cannot meet in person or use video chat.
Take a deep breath. While it is painful to consider, you need to look out for romance scam signs. Scammers create fake online profiles using stolen photos to build deep emotional bonds with kind-hearted people. Once they have your trust, they begin asking for money. This is a multi-million dollar form of identity fraud, and it happens to thousands of smart people every year.
3 Warning Signs of an Online Romance Scam
These scammers are patient and professional. Look out for these three major red flags in your new online relationship:
1. They Move Incredibly Fast
They will profess their undying love within days or weeks of meeting you online. They will use grand, romantic language and quickly try to move the conversation off the dating app and onto private texting like WhatsApp or email.
2. They Always Have an Excuse Not to Video Call
They might claim they work on an oil rig, are deployed in the military, or their phone camera is broken. If someone refuses to show their face on a live video call after weeks of chatting, they are hiding their true identity.
3. The Sudden Financial Emergency
Eventually, a crisis hits. They need money for a plane ticket to come visit you, emergency medical bills, or a customs fee to release a package. They will promise to pay you back immediately once they arrive.
What to Do Next
If this sounds familiar, stop communicating immediately. Do not send any money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Take screenshots of their profile and messages, report their account to the app or website where you met, and block their number.
The Golden Rule
Never, ever send money to someone you have only met online. A genuine person who truly cares about you will never ask you to fund their emergencies or compromise your financial security.