7 Signs of Online Romance Scams and Tips to Avoid Them

There are many financial scams happening online that are draining the victims financially and morally. Among them, there
is an exceptional scam that not only drains finances but also drains emotions. Along with empty pockets, victims face an
extreme loss of emotional attachment. Here, the scammer establishes a connection with the victim. Advises him to invest
in a fake platform and vanish with all the money.

The rise of online dating has opened the door to catfishing scams and other dating-related scams. Online romance scams
are on the rise, with dating app fraudsters manipulating emotions and trust to exploit unsuspecting victims. Identifying
these scams early on can save you from financial loss as well as emotional damage.

In this blog, we will reveal 7 key ways to identify online romance scams, provide tips on how to avoid them, and explain what to do if you have been scammed. Being aware
of online dating fraudsters’ methods is essential for saving yourself and others from falling into these traps.

How Does the Romance Scam Actually Work?

Before understanding how to spot the scam, it is necessary to know how it takes place. Scammers work in a very
systematic manner. They work as per the steps mentioned below.

Step 1: Target Identification

First, scammers research a lot for vulnerable individuals on dating apps or social media. They often target people who
appear lonely, recently divorced, widowed, or emotionally open.

Step 2: Creating a False Identity/Catfishing

They employ stolen photos, create personal stories, and attractive profile attributes to make their target view them as
trustworthy, successful, and caring.

Step 3: Emotional Bond

The scammer will continuously send messages for days or weeks, being affectionate and giving attention to make the
relationship appear genuine. They will use flattering comments, constant attention, and sympathy to develop an emotional
bond.

Step 4: Establishing Exclusivity

They manipulate the victim into trusting nobody but themselves, reducing the possibility of the victim speaking with
friends or family. They might say they feel a ‘special connection’ or want to be together in the future.

Step 5: Creating a Crisis

Once trust is built, the scammer introduces a problem that requires urgent financial help. These problems include
medical emergencies, travel issues, frozen bank accounts, and other business-related problems.

Step 6: Requesting Money

They demand money in forms that are untraceable, like crypto, gift cards, bank transfers, or through payment apps. Other
fraudsters ask for sensitive information with the intention of identity theft.

Step 7: Repeat the cycle

Once the victim has paid, new emergencies from the fraudster are fabricated to extract even more money, along with the
use of guilt, pressure, or emotional manipulation.

Step 8: Disappearing or cutting contact

Once the victim either stops sending money or becomes suspicious, the scammer disappears or, at a later time, reappears
with a new phony name in order to try again.

After looking at these steps, it feels as if the victim becomes aware in the initial step itself, and he can save
himself before it is too late. There are a few signs; if you identify them, you can stay safe from the scam before it
occurs.

7 Signs to Identify Romance Scams

Here are some important tips to consider to identify a romance scam.

1. They Express Strong Emotions Too Quickly

These scammers are too quick to declare emotions when you two are not even that familiar with each other. Fraudsters are
normally very eager to meet you and make you feel so special and shower you with compliments and sugary words.

2. They Avoid Meeting In Person or Video Chatting

Romance scammers normally use a variety of manipulative ways to avoid meeting the victim in person or on video calls.
They will decline the idea due to urgent deployment overseas in a place with no internet service. This is, indeed,
crucial evidence of catfishing scams, where scammers, or the predators, hide their true identity or origin.

3. Requests for Money due to Emergencies

In case anyone you meet online asks for money all of a sudden, it is the biggest signal of this scam. They generate fake
crises to drain your money. Whether it be a medical bill or travel costs, they typically ask for a one-time favor.

4. Inconsistent or Vague Personal Information

Romance scammers are invariably vague about personal details or have conflicting information. When you ask where they
live, what they do for work, or about their past, none of it matches up. This is a common tactic in online relationship
scams.

5. Their Profile Seems Too Perfect

Most online romance scammers have fake dating profiles that appear to be too good to be true. They will throw out overly
attractive or intimate photos and tend to describe themselves in such a way that seems too perfect.

6. They Ask for Personal Information

Fraudsters make you believe that they really care for you through emotional manipulation. Once you have built trust in
them, they will ask for all your personal information and use it to commit fraud. They might ask for your home address,
your bank account number, or even demand your social security number, which leads to identity theft and fraud on dating
apps.

7. They use poor grammar and spelling.

Many of the romance scammers do not come from countries where English is considered the chief language. Therefore, their
messages sometimes contain spelling mistakes, awkward sentence structures, and improper pronunciations of words.

How a scammer sounds

The following are some scripted lines that a scammer would say if you are trapped in a romance scam.

• I would like to video call you very much, but my phone camera is malfunctioning. I will have it fixed soon, I
  swear.
• I would like to see you; however, I have a work assignment in another country. As soon as I’m back, we’ll meet.”
• Is it possible to miss the video call today? The network here is deplorable and drops now and then.
• I am very sorry; I am not at my best today. Let us video call some other time, alright?
• I never felt this about anybody so fast. Our souls were destined to meet like that.
• You are the one that I had been searching for during my entire life. I simply know that we are supposed to be
  together.
• As soon as we began our conversation, I recognized that you are special. Thou hast me in thy heart already.
• I can already see us in the future together, a home, a peaceful life, just you and me forever.
• “Please don’t ever leave me. I am so attached to you, as though we were soulmates.
• Baby, I am in the hospital, and they will not treat me unless I pay the bill. I do not like to ask, but you are
  the only one I can trust at the moment.
• “Please… this is an emergency. I have no idea what I would do unless you help me. I would not inquire whether
  it was not serious.
• My life with my family is very painful… I do not want to mention the past. Let’s focus on us instead.”
• I would like to send you something nice… just your home address. I swear it is not a big thing, just a little
  thing to declare my affection.
• In case anything ever happens to you, I must know where you live to ensure that you are doing well. Tell me your
  address, please.”
• “Just send me a picture of your ID or your bank card so I can verify something on my side. It’s perfectly safe
  with me.”

A scammer seems too needy and in some undefined hurry. Their major goal is to deceive you and quickly cut off all
contact. Hence, next time you hear these lines from any of your online dates, be alert immediately and opt for genuine recovery services.

How to Avoid Online Romance Scams?

If you have been trapped in an online dating or chatting with someone new, here are steps you can take to avoid being a
victim of a romance scam:

1. Do Thorough Research

Google their name, photos, and details to verify if their story matches. By using reverse image search tools, you can
also try to determine if their profile picture is stolen or real.

2. Don’t Send Money

Do not send money to people you’ve never seen in real life, no matter how urgent the requirement might appear.

3. Trust Your Instincts

Sometimes things seem off or too amazing to be true, your intuition can be a great guide. If you’re suspicious that a
scammer is stalking you, act immediately to salvage your asset now.

4. Use Verified Dating Sites

Stick to dating platforms with strong verification processes. Many sites now offer identity checks to protect users from
dating app fraud.

5. Report Suspicious Activity

If you believe that you are being conned, report the user to the dating website and local authorities. These are the
basic precautions one has to consider to avoid online romance scams. The following table represents how you should
perceive the warning signs and avoid the mishap, or take action.

What to Do If You Are Scammed?

If you’ve fallen victim to an online romance scam, it’s important to take immediate action:

1. Stop all Communications:

Cut off all communication with the scammer when you see it. Keep them blocked on all platforms, including social media,
messaging apps, email, and phone. Do not respond to any texts, even when they intend to intimidate, convince, or coerce
you. That is how you avoid being further manipulated by the scammer and the chances of incurring more damage.

2. Report the Scam:

Report the scam to the dating site or app where the interaction took place and get it investigated to have the profile
of the scammer removed. In case you sent some money or in case you had time to release any financial data, contact your
bank or payment service provider and keep transactions or retrieve them. Also, document the same by reporting the same
to your local authorities or cybercrime division to avoid having others fall prey to the same.

3. Get Legitimate Assistance with Romance Scam Recovery:

In need of assistance, contact proven cybersecurity or romance scam recovery agencies. Caution should be taken when
working with fund recovery companies that cannot be verified, and many are fraudulent. Only well-developed and
transparent services should be sought out. Take into account using the services of a licensed counsellor or a support
group that will assist you in overcoming the emotional effects of the scam. WhiteHat Recoverie is one such firm.

Date with Caution

Internet dating scams have become increasingly common, but recognizing the warning signs can help protect both you and
others. Always stay alert, trust your instincts, and be cautious when connecting with people online. If you’ve been a
victim, don’t panic; support is available.

Reach out to trusted friends, family, professionals, or online support groups to help with emotional recovery, and
contact your bank immediately to explore potential fund-recovery options. You can also share your journey on social
media to raise awareness and help others avoid similar scams.

Our reputable scam-recovery experts can further guide you through the process. For more details, reach us out to WhiteHat Recoverie.

FAQs