We had video calls. The person was still a scammer.

We matched on a dating app and moved to WhatsApp within days.

I relaxed because we had video-called—short clips with my name and my dog in the background—so I assumed I was safer than people who only swapped photos.

When “live” video glitched she blamed hotel Wi-Fi and a work VPN; a few weeks later she brought up a trading platform that had “helped her mum” and suggested a small test deposit so we could plan a trip together.

I sent it because saying no felt like accusing her of lying.

The dashboard showed gains, but every withdrawal stalled behind taxes, fees, and another “unlock” deposit.

I kept paying because each step looked like the last obstacle until I had moved five figures and finally refused the next request; the site went quiet not long after.

I had told a friend that video meant she was real, so every audio slip or odd eye line I noticed I treated as a tech fault—I did not want to wreck something good over suspicion.

An IT friend opened two saved “live” sessions and showed the same three-second loop on different dates.

I blocked her, collected what evidence I had, and watched the platform stop answering—the thread ended where the money had already gone.

The savings were gone, and when I tried dating again months later I reread every investment or urgent money mention twice before replying.

Video is not proof unless they pass a live check I choose on the spot—random words on paper, same session.

I should have done that in the first week, not after the wallet was empty.

• Test identity with live challenges you invent in the moment, not rehearsed clips.
• Never move money on a platform someone from a dating chat recommends without independent verification.

For more help, see our Report a scam page and Spot and avoid scams guide.