What are the warning signs of a romance scam?
The clearest sign is a request for money, airtime, gift cards or a transfer before you have ever met. Before that there is usually a pattern: strong feelings very fast, a job that keeps them far away and excuses not to video call.
Romance scammers follow a script. They find you on Facebook, Instagram or a dating app, move you to WhatsApp quickly and chat every day until you feel chosen. Then a problem appears that only your money can solve.
One sign on its own proves nothing. It is the combination, and above all the request for money, that gives the scam away.
Signs to look for
- They say they love you within days, before meeting or a video call.
- They work somewhere unreachable: an oil rig, a ship, a UN mission, a hospital abroad.
- There is always a reason the camera does not work.
- The profile is new, with few friends and photos that look professional.
- A crisis appears and they need money, airtime or a gift card from you.
Frequently asked questions
- We have chatted for months. Can it still be a scam?
- Yes. Scammers spend months on one person because they hope for a bigger payout. A long chat says nothing about whether the person is real.
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