Romance Scam
A scam where someone builds a fake romantic relationship with you online, then uses emotional pressure and invented emergencies to ask for money.
What Is This Scam?
A scam where someone builds a fake romantic relationship with you online, then uses emotional pressure and invented emergencies to ask for money.
How This Scam Usually Works
- •You meet on a dating app or social media; the person is quick to move to a private channel.
- •They declare strong feelings fast and may refuse video calls.
- •An 'emergency' appears: medical bills, travel, visa, or customs fees.
- •You're asked to send money, gift cards, or crypto — and the requests keep coming.
- •If you hesitate, guilt or anger is used to pressure you.
Common Warning Signs
- •Refuses video calls
- •Declares love fast
- •Sudden emergency / travel crisis
- •Asks for money or gift cards
What Scammers Commonly Say
- “'I've never felt this way about anyone before.'
- “'I can't video call right now — my camera is broken / I'm deployed.'
- “'I need money for a medical emergency / flight / customs to come see you.'
- “'Please send it as gift cards / crypto — it's faster.'
Before You Act
Pause and check these before sending money, sharing details, or clicking anything.
- •Insist on a video call before sending money or sharing personal details.
- •Reverse-search their profile photos to check if they belong to someone else.
- •Be cautious if the person quickly moves you to a private messaging app.
- •Talk to a trusted friend or family member for a reality check.
Questions to Ask Yourself
- ?Have we ever video-called, and did their face match their photos?
- ?Are they declaring love unusually fast?
- ?Is there an 'emergency' that requires money?
- ?Am I being asked to send gift cards or crypto instead of a normal transfer?
What You Should NOT Do
- ✕Do not send money, gift cards, or crypto to someone you have only met online.
- ✕Do not share your full banking details, OTPs, or ID documents with them.
- ✕Do not send more money hoping the requests will stop.
- ✕Do not delete the chat history — keep it as evidence.
What You Should Do Immediately
- •Stop sending money and break off contact if it is safe to do so.
- •Report and block the profile on the dating app or social platform.
- •Contact your bank to report and dispute any transactions.
- •Save all messages, profile details, and payment records.
- •Report to your country's official fraud authority.
What Evidence You Should Preserve
- •Chat history and any voice notes
- •The profile URL, name, and photos used
- •Payment requests and transaction records
- •Any phone numbers or emails they used
- •Claims about who they are or where they are
Never upload passwords, OTPs, PINs, CVVs, seed phrases, or full banking credentials.
Payment / Account Protection Steps
- •Ask your bank about disputing transfers or chargebacks if you paid by card.
- •Freeze or replace any card you used.
- •Watch for follow-up 'recovery' offers from new accounts.
Reporting Options
Report romance scams to your country's fraud authority and to the dating app or social platform where you met. If you sent money, also report to your bank. Include the profile details, chat history, and payment records.
View Country Reporting GuideRecovery Considerations
Money sent by bank transfer or crypto is hard to reverse, but reporting quickly and disputing card payments can help. Recovery is never guaranteed, and 'recovery agents' who find you afterward are usually scammers.
High Risk of Recovery Scam
Scam victims are often targeted again by fake “recovery agents.”
- Anyone claiming “We can recover your money for a small upfront fee” is almost certainly a scammer.
- Recovery is never guaranteed. No legitimate service charges an upfront fee to retrieve stolen funds.
- Scammers buy victim lists — expect fake “hackers”, “officials”, and “lawyers” to contact you.
How GoCheckAI Can Help
GoCheckAI gives you a calm, prioritized plan, an evidence checklist, and the right official channel for your country.
GoCheckAI does not guarantee recovery, does not act as a recovery agent, and will never ask you to pay someone to recover funds.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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