The person I met online asked me for money for an emergency. Is it a scam?
Almost always, yes: asking for money for an emergency is the most common sign of a romance scam and of other online scams. Don't send anything until you've confirmed who the person is some other way.
The stories change but the script is the same: first lots of affection or a big opportunity, then an emergency – a hospital bill, a parcel stuck at customs, a fine, a plane ticket, a frozen account, an inheritance that needs "fees" released, like the old 419 scam – and a request for a transfer "just this once".
What to do now
- Don't send money, transfers, gifts, vouchers, airtime or codes.
- Don't let them rush you. Urgency is the scammer's main tool.
- Talk to someone you trust before you decide.
- Check the person's photos, number and messages.
- If you've already sent money, phone your bank straight away and report it at the nearest police station.
Frequently asked questions
- What if the person gets upset?
- Someone who cares about you will understand that you won't send money to someone you've never met. Pressure and guilt-tripping are signs of a scam.
- I've already made a transfer. Can I get it back?
- Phone your bank as soon as possible, report the payment as fraud and ask them to try to stop the money in the account that received it. The faster you act, the better your chances. Then report it at the nearest police station and give the bank the police report.
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