The Rise of Romance Scams
Romance scams have become one of the most financially devastating forms of fraud, with victims losing billions of dollars annually. These scammers are skilled manipulators who exploit emotions and trust.
Warning Sign #1: They Can Never Video Chat
One of the biggest red flags is when someone consistently avoids video calls. They'll always have an excuse—bad connection, broken camera, or they're in a location where it's not possible.
Warning Sign #2: The Relationship Moves Too Fast
Scammers often declare love within days or weeks. They "love bomb" victims with constant attention, compliments, and declarations of deep feelings before you've even met in person.
Warning Sign #3: They Have a Glamorous or Sympathetic Profession
Many romance scammers claim to be military personnel deployed overseas, oil rig workers, doctors with international organizations, or successful entrepreneurs. These professions conveniently explain why they can't meet.
Warning Sign #4: Requests for Money
Eventually, there will be a crisis—a medical emergency, a business problem, or difficulty accessing their own funds. They'll ask you to send money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
Warning Sign #5: Inconsistent Stories
Pay attention to details. Scammers often manage multiple victims and may forget what they've told you, leading to inconsistencies in their stories.
Warning Sign #6: They Want to Move Off the Dating Platform Quickly
Scammers want to move to WhatsApp, email, or text quickly to avoid being reported on dating platforms that have fraud detection.
Warning Sign #7: Their Photos Seem Too Perfect
Reverse image search their photos. Scammers often use stolen images from models, influencers, or other social media profiles.
Warning Sign #8: They're Always Dealing with Emergencies
There's always a crisis that prevents meeting in person or that requires your financial help.
Warning Sign #9: They Ask for Personal Information
They might ask for information that could be used for identity theft—your address, workplace, or financial details.
Warning Sign #10: Your Friends and Family Are Concerned
Sometimes those outside the situation can see red flags more clearly. Listen to the concerns of people who care about you.
How Verify Can Help
With Verify, you can anonymously connect with others who may have encountered the same person. If someone is running a romance scam, chances are you're not their only target.