PA 211 has noticed a recent trend in callers reporting that they were the targets of romance scams.
A romance scam is a type of fraud in which the scammer will create a fake romantic relationship to gain a target’s trust and steal their money. These scams take place over weeks to months, and they can cost targets a lot more than typical tech support scams.
There is no shame in having fallen for a romance scam. Connection and empathy are very human qualities that master manipulators exploit.
How Romance Scams Work
- The person contacts you online, usually through social media, a dating site, or a wrong number text.
- Scammers often use stolen photos, usually of attractive people in unusually professional lighting. Use a reverse image search to check if their pictures are stolen.
- They quickly become emotionally intense through constant attention and praise – also known as love bombing – in order to build attachment before the red flags become apparent.
- They cannot meet you in person. They will give excuses such as living overseas, being in the military, or working on an oil rig.
- They will urgently request money for emergency medical bills, travel expenses, or investment opportunities. Beware of requests for cash, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.
- They keep requesting money while falsely promising a shared future. They could also disappear entirely.
Other Red Flags
- Their identity doesn’t add up. Their stories contain inconsistencies and sometimes they forget information.
- They have no verifiable online presence. Their account will be new and have few connections.
- They ask for sensitive information like bank details or social security.
- They look unnatural or distorted in video calls. They refuse to hold up simple objects when asked to. Refusing to video call entirely is also suspicious.
- They isolate you by convincing you not to tell anyone else.
- They guilt you if you question them.
What To Do If Scammed
- Stop sending money.
- Don’t confront them immediately. If you do, they might delete evidence.
- Save evidence. Screenshot and document everything.
- Report the scam to law enforcement, the Federal Trade Commission, or the FBI. Reporting helps authorities identify trends, or in some cases, identify criminals.
- End the relationship.
- Use everything you’ve learned from this experience to avoid future scams.
