Romance scams detection: A comprehensive guide [2025]

Romance scams are on the rise, posing a significant threat to both users and the platforms they rely on. In 2023, California was the U.S. state with the highest number of romance scams. In the measured year, individuals in this state reported 6,742 cases of romance scams. Florida followed, with 4,371 cases, while Texas ranked third, seeing 4,269 cases of romance scams. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides valuable advice on avoiding online dating scams, emphasizing the importance of following their recommendations to enhance online safety and protect users from fraud. In 2024 alone, these scams grew by 22%, with reported losses reaching over $33 million in Australia. Victims often suffer emotional devastation and financial ruin, while dating platforms risk severe reputational damage. Let’s explore what romance scams entail, the tactics scammers use, and how platforms and users can protect themselves.

What are romance scams?

Romance scams, also known as online dating scams, involve scammers creating fake profiles to build trust with unsuspecting users, only to exploit them emotionally and financially. Common online dating scams include tactics like emergency fund requests, fake military stories, and extortion through blackmail. These scams often target vulnerable individuals, such as divorced or widowed elderly women, leveraging false promises of love to manipulate their victims.

Signs of an online dating scammer

Romance scammers are skilled at manipulation, often presenting likable personas to gain their victims’ trust. According to the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission, here are key red flags:

• Inconsistent profiles: They might claim to be from one country but exhibit poor language skills or conflicting details in their profile.
• Quick love confessions: Scammers often profess love after just a few conversations, using endearing language like “you are my angel.”
• Money requests: Once trust is built, scammers fabricate emergencies requiring financial help, such as medical bills or legal fees.
• Fantastic stories: Elaborate tales, such as being pursued by “angry business competitors,” are common.
• Living abroad: Scammers often claim to be overseas to avoid in-person meetings.
• Broken promises: They repeatedly delay meeting or returning borrowed money with excuses.
• Frequent cancellations: An online love interest who frequently cancels planned visits due to various emergencies is a red flag, often linked to requests for financial assistance.
• Private conversations: Scammers often push victims to move conversations off-platform to avoid detection.

How romance scams work

Scammers follow a calculated process:

• Initiation: They reach out via dating sites or social media platforms.
• Relationship building: They create a sense of trust and emotional connection.
• The ask: A fabricated crisis is presented, prompting financial assistance.
• Exploitation: Scammers continue extracting money until the victim realizes or can no longer comply.

In some cases, scammers involve accomplices posing as professionals (e.g., lawyers or doctors) to add credibility to their stories. Organized groups may even collaborate, as seen in high-profile cases like the “Tinder Swindler.” The ultimate motive of these scammers is financial gain, often at the expense of the victim's emotional and financial well-being.

Common types of romance scams in financial services & online marketplaces

Romance scams take various forms, targeting both financial services and online marketplaces where scammers exploit trust for financial gain. Online romance scams involve fraudsters building emotional connections with victims before manipulating them into sending money through fabricated stories. In the financial sector, these scams often lead to unauthorized transactions, money laundering, and fraudulent account activity. Meanwhile, online marketplaces—particularly dating apps and social platforms—serve as prime hunting grounds for bad actors using deceptive tactics.

• Emergency schemes – Scammers fabricate urgent crises like legal troubles or medical emergencies to solicit funds.
• Military romance scams – Fraudsters impersonate soldiers stationed overseas, citing military regulations as an excuse to request money.
• Blackmail scams – Victims are coerced into intimate acts on video calls, then blackmailed with threats of exposure.
• Romance baiting scams – Scammers lure victims into fake investment opportunities, such as fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes, which impact financial institutions processing these transactions.
• Gift card scams – Scammers request untraceable gift cards under various pretexts, making it difficult for both financial services and marketplaces to trace fraudulent activity.
• Visa and immigration scams – Bad actors claim they need financial help to resolve fabricated visa or travel issues, often targeting international dating platforms.

For financial services providers, detecting and preventing romance scams requires advanced identity verification, behavioral analysis, and transaction monitoring. Similarly, dating apps and social platforms must implement rigorous fraud prevention measures to protect users and maintain trust.

How dating platforms can protect users

Dating platforms can take proactive steps to reduce scams by implementing robust identity verification systems:

• Document Verification: Ensures users are legitimate and helps set age restrictions.
• Biometric Verification: Confirms the user’s identity through biometric authentication technology.
• Behavioral Analysis: Detects suspicious patterns, such as mismatched IP addresses or multiple accounts from the same device.

Platforms should also educate users about scams and provide a secure, seamless verification process to build trust without deterring signups.

How users can avoid romance scams

Users can protect themselves by staying vigilant to avoid online dating scams by identifying red flags and seeking support from trusted individuals:

• Stay skeptical: Always consider the possibility of a scam.
• Cross-check: Verify details like names, photos, and emails through online searches.
• Avoid money transfers: Never send money or share sensitive information.
• Seek advice: Consult friends or family before making decisions.

Tips to avoid losing money to romance scams

To avoid losing money to a romance scam, it is crucial to be cautious when interacting with someone online. Here are some tips to help you avoid falling victim:

• Verify their identity: Use reverse image searches to check if their photos are stolen and look for inconsistencies in their stories. Scammers often use images of attractive individuals to lure victims, so a quick search can reveal if the photos are linked to multiple profiles or scam reports.
• Be cautious with personal information: Avoid sharing sensitive personal information with someone you haven’t met in person. Scammers can use details like your address, financial information, or even your daily routine to manipulate or steal from you.
• Watch for red flags: Be aware of common red flags in online relationships, such as requests for money, reluctance to meet in person, and overly intense declarations of love early on. Scammers often rush the relationship to create a sense of urgency and emotional dependency.
• Keep communication public: Keep your communication on the dating platform or social media site where you met to avoid being moved to private channels. Scammers prefer private communication to avoid detection by the platform’s security measures.
• Seek advice from trusted sources: Seek advice from friends, family, or online communities if you suspect you might be dealing with a scammer. A fresh perspective can help you see warning signs you might have missed.
• Report suspicious activity: Report any suspicious profiles or behavior to the platform where you encountered the scammer. Dating sites and social media platforms have mechanisms in place to investigate and take action against fraudulent accounts.
• Guard your heart and finances: Stay vigilant, trust your instincts, and prioritize your safety in online relationships. If something feels off, it probably is. Protecting your emotional and financial well-being should always come first.

By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to romance scams and ensure your online dating experience remains safe and enjoyable.

Regional insights: US & UK trends in romance scams detection

Romance scams present a unique set of challenges and trends in the US and UK. In the United States, California continues to lead the state with the highest number of reported romance scams, with 6,742 cases in 2023 alone. Florida and Texas follow closely behind, demonstrating a nationwide issue that impacts a diverse range of individuals.

These scams cost victims millions of dollars annually. In 2022, 34 percent of financial losses caused by romance scams included cryptocurrency payments. Meanwhile, gift cards were the most frequently mentioned payment method in reported romance scams in the United States. In almost 20 percent of the reports, the payment method was cryptocurrency. They have drawn significant attention from organizations such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which Efforts to educate the public and prevent fraud. In the UK, the situation is equally alarming, with the rise of digital dating platforms leading to increasingly sophisticated scams. These schemes often exploit vulnerabilities unique to the region, with financial fraud and blackmail being the most common tactics. While online dating offers both highs and lows, UK users have diverse experiences. As of December 2023, nearly half (49%) of dating app users in the UK reported positive experiences, compared to 20% who had very negative ones.

Unfortunately, fake profiles remain a widespread issue on dating platforms, often costing users not just time and energy, but also money. In 2023, England and Wales saw 7,660 reports of romance fraud, up from 7,014 in 2022 – a 58% increase compared to 2018. Romance scams aren't the only challenges users face; real-life behavior also contributes to heartbreak. About a quarter of online daters reported being ghosted, while one in five admitted to ghosting someone themselves.

Despite these challenges, singles continue to value dating apps for their convenience, accessible features, and expansive dating pools, maintaining a hopeful and playful attitude toward finding love online. To combat these threats, the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) stress the need for strong identity verification measures to protect users and platforms. As romance scams grow more complex, collaboration between US and UK law enforcement agencies becomes essential. By addressing region-specific trends and employing advanced fraud detection tools, both nations can better safeguard users and preserve the trustworthiness of online dating platforms.

Real-life examples of romance scams

Real-life stories of romance scams highlight the devastating impact these schemes can have on victims. Here are a few examples that underscore the emotional and financial toll of falling prey to a romance scammer:

Love-bombed romance fraud:

In 2023, a female activist Cecilie Fjellhøy in her 50s from the United States was defrauded of $30,000 by a scammer posing as a caring and attentive romantic partner on a dating app. Using love-bombing tactics, the scammer overwhelmed her with affection and promises of a future together. Over time, he fabricated stories about financial emergencies, including urgent medical bills and a business crisis, convincing her to transfer money. The fraud came to light when she discovered inconsistencies in his stories and photos taken from a public profile. This case highlights how emotional manipulation remains a powerful tool for romance scammers.

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The Brad Pitt impersonation scam:

Recently, a romance scammer pretending to be Hollywood actor Brad Pitt targeted multiple victims, convincing them they were in a private online relationship with the celebrity. In one case, a woman was manipulated into sending thousands of dollars to "Pitt," who claimed he needed funds to leave Angelina Jolie and move closer to her. This elaborate ruse preyed on the victim's admiration for the actor and underscored the emotional manipulation at the core of such scams.

These cases underscore the evolving tactics of scammers, including the use of AI-generated content and the exploitation of dating apps & social media platforms, to deceive victims. It's crucial to remain vigilant and skeptical of unsolicited online interactions, especially those that progress rapidly or involve requests for money.

How Veriff can help?

Romance scams aren’t just a financial issue—they erode trust in online dating. By implementing verification measures and educating users, dating platforms can create safer spaces for authentic connections. Users can protect themselves by staying informed and vigilant. Together, we can outsmart scammers and ensure online dating remains a positive experience. Always be cautious when sharing personal details online to protect against romance scams.

Online dating scams are becoming increasingly prevalent, exposing individuals to risks such as fraud, identity theft, and financial harm. Veriff offers robust identity verification solutions designed specifically for online dating platforms. Leveraging cutting-edge AI technology, Veriff verifies the authenticity of users, eliminating fake profiles and minimizing fraudulent behavior. By creating a secure and trustworthy environment, Veriff enables dating platforms to protect their users, build credibility, and encourage authentic connections. Partner with Veriff to combat online scams and ensure safer, more secure interactions in the online dating space.

WeBull, a prominent financial services platform, serves as a powerful example of how robust identity verification can safeguard users against fraud. By leveraging Veriff’s advanced ID verification solutions, WeBull has created a secure environment for its users, preventing fraudulent accounts and ensuring only legitimate individuals can access its services. This proactive approach demonstrates how platforms—whether in finance, dating, or other industries—can build trust, protect users, and mitigate risks by implementing comprehensive identity verification measures. For dating platforms facing the growing threat of romance scams, adopting similar solutions can be a game-changer in enhancing user safety and preserving platform reputation.

FAQ

What is a romance scam?

A romance scam is a type of fraud where a scammer creates a fake profile on a dating site or social media platform. They build a false relationship with their target to gain trust and eventually exploit them financially or emotionally.

How do romance scammers target victims?

Romance scammers often prey on emotionally vulnerable individuals, such as those who are widowed, divorced, or lonely. They use fake profiles with attractive photos and carefully crafted backstories to appear trustworthy and appealing.

What are the common signs of a romance scammer?

• They confess love quickly, often after just a few conversations.
• They avoid meeting in person and claim to live or work abroad.
• They ask for money, often citing emergencies like medical bills, legal troubles, or travel costs.
• They have inconsistent or poorly written profiles.
• They push to move conversations off the dating platform to private messaging apps.