Reporting A Romance Scam: What You Need To Know

Romance scams are a prevalent issue, with millions of people falling victim each year. Criminals use online dating sites and social media platforms to connect with unsuspecting individuals, gain their trust, and eventually exploit them for financial gain or personal information. These scams can result in significant financial losses and emotional distress for the victims. It is crucial to recognize the signs of a romance scam and know how to report it to prevent further harm and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Recognising a romance scam: Be aware of common tactics, such as fake profiles, professions of love, and refusal to meet

Romance scams are a type of fraud where scammers create fake profiles on dating sites and apps or contact their targets through social media. They build trust and establish an emotional connection with their victims before asking them for money. Scammers often pretend to be from the US but living, working, or travelling abroad, deployed overseas as a soldier, or stuck in another country. They may also push for intimate photos or offer to send money to get their target's bank details.

Fake Profiles

Romance scammers create fake profiles on dating sites and apps, using attractive photographs taken randomly from the web or assuming the identities of real people. They may study the information people share online and pretend to have common interests. Be wary of profiles that seem too good to be true, have poor grammar and spelling, or include a series of tragic personal events.

Professions of Love

Romance scammers try to establish a bond quickly. They may give you a pet name, tell you they've never felt this way before, or even declare their love within a few weeks of initial contact. If someone you haven't met in person is expressing strong feelings and affection, it could be a scam.

Refusal to Meet

Scammers will make excuses about why they can't meet in person or refuse to speak via video chat. They may claim to be living or travelling outside the country, working on an oil rig or in the military, or working with an international organisation. They may promise to meet but always cancel or delay, citing financial troubles or emergencies.

Requests for Money

After gaining your trust, scammers will ask for financial help, often for medical expenses, travel costs, visa fees, or to get themselves out of trouble. They may start with small gifts and gradually ask for larger sums of money. If someone you haven't met in person is asking for money, that's a red flag.

Inconsistencies and Privacy Concerns

Scammers may ask a lot of personal questions about you while avoiding sharing details about themselves. Their stories may seem made up or inconsistent. They may also prefer to move the conversation away from dating websites to instant messaging, text, or phone calls, where there is less risk of being reported.

If you encounter any of these warning signs, proceed with caution. Do a reverse image search of their profile picture, research them online, and be cautious about sharing your personal information or financial details. Remember, legitimate love interests will understand if you ask for proof of their identity and will respect your boundaries.

Protect yourself: Keep personal details private, research new connections, and be cautious when sharing contact details

Keeping your personal details private, researching new connections, and exercising caution when sharing contact details are crucial steps to protect yourself from romance scams. Here are some detailed guidelines to help you stay safe:

Keep Personal Details Private:

• Avoid sharing personal information online, such as your full name, place of work, email address, home address, or phone number.
• Choose a username that doesn't reveal too much about you. Avoid including your last name, location, or other identifying details.
• Be cautious when posting or sharing photos online. Consider the information you are revealing through these images and the potential risk to your personal security if they fall into the wrong hands.
• Utilise privacy and security settings on social media platforms. Regularly review these settings as they may change over time.
• Be extra vigilant if you have identified yourself as a member of the military or a government organisation.

Research New Connections:

• Conduct a Google search of the person's name, location, and any other details they provide. Look for inconsistencies or signs of a fake profile.
• Do a reverse Google image search on their profile photo to verify their identity. Romance scammers often use stolen images.
• Pay attention to their social media presence. Lack of a social media profile or multiple accounts could be a red flag.
• Look for red flags on their social media profiles, such as few friends or connections, a lack of personal posts or updates, or only professional-looking headshots.

Be Cautious When Sharing Contact Details:

• Avoid sharing your contact details, including email, phone number, and home address, until you feel confident about the person's trustworthiness.
• If you decide to share your email, consider creating a separate anonymous email address specifically for this purpose.
• Follow safety guidelines when meeting an online connection in person for the first time.
• Set up a phone or video chat early on. If the person refuses or makes excuses, it could be a scam.

What to do if scammed: Discontinue communication, report to the platform, and contact relevant authorities

If you think you have been scammed, it is important to act quickly and decisively. Here are the steps you should take:

Discontinue Communication

Stop all communication with the scammer immediately. This includes blocking their number, email address, and any other means of contact they may have. Do not respond to any attempts they make to resume contact, and do not try to confront them in person. It is important to remember that these scammers are skilled manipulators, and continuing to engage with them will only put you at further risk.

Report to the Platform

If you met the scammer on a dating site or social media platform, report them to the site administrator immediately. Provide as much detail as possible, including any messages or evidence of their fraudulent activities. This will help the platform take appropriate action, such as blocking the scammer's account and preventing them from targeting others.

Contact Relevant Authorities

Report the scam to the relevant authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In the United States, you can file a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), a partnership between the FBI and the Department of Justice. You can also reach out to local law enforcement and provide them with any evidence you have, including copies of correspondence with the scammer.

In addition to reporting the scam, you should also take steps to protect your financial and personal information. Contact your bank and credit card companies to inform them of the situation and ask for any suspicious activity to be investigated. Consider placing a credit alert or freeze on your accounts to prevent further fraud.

Remember, romance scams can happen to anyone, and it is important to act quickly and seek help if you believe you have been targeted. By discontinuing communication, reporting the scam, and contacting the relevant authorities, you can help protect yourself and prevent others from falling victim to these scams.

Reporting platforms: Report romance scams to the FTC, IC3, and the social media/dating platform where it occurred

If you've been a victim of a romance scam, it's important to report it to the relevant authorities. Here are the steps you can take to report romance scams to the FTC, IC3, and the social media/dating platform where it occurred:

Reporting to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The FTC is the nation's consumer protection agency, and it takes reports of romance scams seriously. You can report a romance scam to the FTC by visiting their website at ftc.gov/complaint. This is where you can report fraud, scams, and bad business practices. The FTC logged more than 21,000 reports of romance scams in 2018, with losses totaling $143 million.

Reporting to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

The IC3 is the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) central hub for reporting cybercrime, including romance scams. You can file a complaint or report on their website, IC3.gov. Reporting to IC3 helps the FBI investigate cybercrimes, track trends and threats, and bring cybercriminals to justice. The IC3 also shares reports with its network of FBI field offices and law enforcement partners, strengthening the collective response to cybercrime.

Reporting to Social Media/Dating Platforms

If the romance scam occurred on a social media or dating platform, be sure to report it to the platform administrators. Most platforms have mechanisms in place to report abusive or fraudulent behavior. Reporting the scam to the platform can help them take action, such as blocking or banning the scammer, and preventing them from targeting others. Additionally, if you met the scammer on a dating site, consider contacting the site administrator to inform them of the scam. They can take steps to improve safety measures and protect other users.

Remember, it's important to report romance scams to the relevant authorities, as it helps raise awareness, dedicate more resources to prevention, and protect others from falling victim to similar scams. By reporting, you can play a crucial role in fighting cybercrime and making the online community a safer place for everyone.

Preventing scams: Slow down communication, request proof of identity, and never send money

Romance scams are a common occurrence in the digital age, with scammers taking advantage of online dating sites and social media platforms to trick unsuspecting individuals into fraudulent relationships. To avoid falling prey to such scams, it is crucial to exercise caution and follow some preventive measures:

Slow Down Communication:

If you suspect a romance scam, deliberately slow down all interactions with the potential scammer. Avoid rushing into decisions and take time to evaluate the situation. Be cautious of individuals who try to rush the relationship or push for quick displays of affection.

Request Proof of Identity:

Before trusting someone you meet online, conduct a thorough background check. Verify their identity by performing a Google search using their name, location, and any other relevant information. Additionally, consider doing a reverse image search on their profile pictures to ensure they haven't stolen images from someone else.

Never Send Money:

Under no circumstances should you send money or share financial information with someone you haven't met in person. Be wary of requests for financial assistance, such as claims of medical emergencies or travel expenses. Romance scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure their victims into sending money. Remember, a legitimate love interest will understand your need for caution and won't push you to take financial risks.

In addition to these key points, here are some further precautions you can take:

• Maintain your privacy: Keep your personal details confidential, especially your address, financial information, and daily routine.
• Be cautious of early professions of love: If someone professes their love or strong feelings for you very quickly, be cautious. Scammers often try to manipulate their victims' emotions to exploit them.
• Communicate on the original platform: Be wary of individuals who insist on moving the conversation to private email, text, or phone calls. It's safer to stay on the dating site's platform until you're confident about the person's intentions.
• Be aware of common scammer tactics: Scammers often pretend to be from the US but are abroad or claim to be deployed military personnel. They may also face sudden personal crises that require financial help.
• Report suspicious activity: If you suspect a romance scam, report it to the appropriate authorities, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Frequently asked questions