Romance Fraud — Identify the Red Flags

Written By Cyber and Fraud Hub

What is Romance Fraud

Romance fraud, also known as a romance scam, occurs when fraudsters use a fake profile to trick victims into believing they are in a genuine romantic relationship, with the aim of exploiting them for money or personal information.

With the increasing popularity of online dating and social media, scammers have more opportunities than ever to target unsuspecting individuals. Understanding how these scams work is the first step in protecting oneself from falling victim.

Red Flags of Romance Fraud

1. Too Good to Be True

  • Red Flag: Scammers may steal photos from real people or use AI-generated images to create a convincing social media or dating profile. Their pictures may look professional, overly polished, or suspiciously model-like.

  • Tip: Perform a reverse image search on Google to check if their profile photo appears elsewhere online, which could indicate a fake identity Additionally, if you have their name, email, or phone number, search for them on social media and public record databases to verify if their details.

2. Rush to Romance

  • Red Flag: The fraudster expresses strong feelings for the victim after only a few conversations. This fast-paced emotional attachment is often a tactic to create urgency and emotional dependence, encouraging the victim to act quickly without considering the consequences.

  • Tip: Take your time getting to know someone, and be wary of quick declarations of love. Genuine relationships develop gradually.

3. Requests for Money or Sensitive Information

  • Red Flag: This is the primary goal of a romance scam. The scammer asks for money, sensitive personal information or help with financial transactions. When requesting money they may claim they need it for medical emergencies, travel expenses, or business investments.

  • Tip: Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person, no matter how convincing their story is. If they ask for money, sensitive information or help making financial transactions such as buying gift vouchers, end communication and report the account.

4. Avoiding Video Calls or Meeting in Person

  • Red Flag: They often refuse to meet in person or video call, making excuses about work, travel, or personal issues.

  • Tip: Suggest video calls or meeting in public places. If someone consistently avoids face-to-face interaction, it's a major warning sign. Trust your instincts and consider disengaging to protect yourself.

5. Inconsistent Stories

  • Red Flag: If their background details change or they avoid answering direct questions, they may be hiding their true identity.

  • Tip: Pay attention to inconsistencies and ask direct questions to verify their claims before trusting them. Be cautious if they ask many questions about you but don’t reveal much about themselves as this may be a deflection tactic.

6. Push for Privacy

  • Red Flag: They may ask you to keep the relationship secret, isolating you from friends and family to avoid scrutiny.

  • Tip: Talk to a trusted friend or family member about your online relationships to get an outside perspective and spot potential red flags.

What to Do if You Become a Victim

If you suspect you have been targeted by a romance scam, it’s important to act fast to minimise the damage and get the right support:

  • End Communication: Cut off contact with the scammer and block them on all platforms to prevent further manipulation.

  • Report the Profile: Report the scammer to the dating app, social media platform, or messaging service you met them on. This helps protect others.

  • Contact Your Bank Immediately: If you have sent money or shared financial information, inform your bank to monitor for fraudulent activity or reverse unauthorised transactions.

  • Report the Scam: Contact Police Scotland by calling 101 to report a scam directly. You can also email or call the Cyber and Fraud Hub at 0808 281 3580 for support and guidance if you're worried that you’ve been scammed.

  • Secure Your Accounts: If you shared sensitive information, update your passwords, enable two-factor authentication and monitor your bank accounts for suspicious activity.

  • Seek Support: Falling victim to romance fraud can be emotionally distressing. Speak to a trusted friend or family member to help process what happened. There are also organisations you can reach out to such as Victim Support Scotland and Samaritans Scotland who will offer emotional support.

Additional Resources

Further Guidance

Support

Cyber and Fraud Hub
Next

Sim Swap Fraud