Romance scams don't typically start with money
Online relationships and romance scams usually begin by establishing a relationship before gradually introducing money, personal information, or investments. The other person may get to know you through social media, dating apps, messaging software, or unsolicited private messages, spending time chatting, showing concern for your life, and sharing photos to create a sense of trust.
Be cautious of rapid intimacy and shifting platforms
If someone frequently expresses intimacy, discusses the future, or asks to switch to another messaging platform soon after you meet, it might be a tactic to create emotional dependency. A normal relationship takes time to confirm mutual feelings; if the person avoids the original platform and starts discussing difficulties, funding, or investments, it's a signal to slow down.
Avoid substituting photos for real evidence during prolonged refusals to verify
The other person may claim to be abroad, in the military, on a ship, in a hospital, at a construction site, or in confidential work, and may not meet or video chat with you for extended periods. Photos and short videos may be stolen or pre-prepared. Just because they have photos doesn’t mean their identity has been verified.
Change your assessment when money is mentioned
Common reasons for requesting money include a family member being ill, account freezes, package delays, lack of tickets, investment turnover, gift cards, cryptocurrencies, or designated account transfers. No matter how touching the reasons are, if an online relationship begins asking for payments, collections, or loans, you should stop communication and verify.
Investment-based romance scams tie future prospects with returns
The other person may claim to understand cryptocurrencies, foreign exchange, stocks, or short-term trading, initially showing you profitable account screens, even allowing small withdrawals, before encouraging more investment. If they ask you to recharge on unknown platforms, transfer cryptocurrencies, pay taxes, or pay unfreezing fees, consider it a high risk.
Never share identity data or verification codes
Identity documents, addresses, bank account information, selfie verifications, emails, social media accounts, and verification codes can be misused for identity theft, false identity verification, money laundering, or subsequent scams. Even if you have had some conversations with someone you met online, you should never provide this information.
If you have already made payments or provided information, stop any further exchanges and save chat logs, transfer records, platform URLs, the other person’s accounts, wallet addresses, phone numbers, and emails; if banking or payment platforms are involved, contact the service provider as soon as possible. Relationships can develop slowly, but money and identity information must be verified first.