The person I met online wants to visit me but needs money for the flight. What should I do?
Do not send it. A person who wants to visit and asks you to pay the ticket, visa or an "airport fee" is following one of the most common romance scam scripts.
The visit is often always about to happen: first the ticket, then a visa problem, then they are "stopped at the airport" and need money to be released.
If the person is real, they can book their own travel. You can meet them when they arrive, in a public place.
What to do
- Say kindly that you will not pay for travel. Someone honest will accept that.
- Never pay airport, immigration or quarantine fees to anyone on WhatsApp.
- Check their photos and number before the chat goes further.
- If you already paid, call your bank at once and report it.
Frequently asked questions
- They sent me a booking confirmation. Is it real?
- It may be edited or for a booking that was never paid. Do not treat a screenshot as proof.
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