Who: The FTC collects reports of romance scams.
When to use: Use when someone you met online asked for money under false pretenses.
What to prepare:
- Where you met
- Username or profile
- Amount sent
- How you paid
Go to FTC ReportFraud~5 min
Category: Impersonation
Romance scams
Most reportedImportant
Never send money to someone you have not met in person. Romance scammers build trust for weeks or months before asking for cash.
How it often plays out
After months of daily messages, “Kevin” tells Jennifer he’s stuck abroad and needs $3,000 for a flight home. She sends it. Then his “boss” needs a bribe; then there’s a “medical emergency.” She has never met him in person or on a real video call. The person on the other end is a scammer who built a fake relationship to drain her savings. Romance scammers can spend months building trust before they ask for money; once they do, the "emergencies" never stop. She has never met him in person or on a real video call—and she never will.
By the numbers
- Romance scams cause among the highest reported losses to the FTC each year.
- Scammers often claim to be in the military, overseas, or in crisis to explain why they cannot meet.
How to spot it
- The person avoids meeting in person or a live video call and has excuses (travel, military, overseas job).
- They develop the relationship then ask for money for emergencies, travel, medical, or "investments."
- They pressure you to act quickly or keep the request secret from family or friends.
Do's and don'ts
Do
- Stop sending money or gift cards.
- Save profile links, usernames, messages, and any payment details.
- Report to the FTC and IC3 and block the person.
Don't
- Send money to someone you have not met in person.
- Give bank or account access.
- Keep the request secret from family or friends.
Summary & what to do
Someone builds a relationship online (dating app, social media) then asks for money for emergencies, travel, or "investments." Never send money to someone you have not met in person. Report to the FTC and IC3.
What to do right now
- Stop sending money or gift cards. Do not give bank or account access.
- Save profile links, usernames, messages, and any payment details.
- Report to the FTC and IC3. Block the person.
Where to report
Who: The FBI's IC3 handles romance and confidence fraud.
When to use: Use when the scam was online and you lost money.
What to prepare:
- Platform
- Screenshots
- Amount lost
Go to IC3~10 min
Frequently asked questions
- We video chatted. Does that mean they are real?
- Scammers sometimes use pre-recorded video or short live calls. If they avoid meeting in person, make excuses, or ask for money, treat it as a scam. Do not send money.
- I already sent money. What do I do?
- Stop sending more. Report to the FTC and IC3 with usernames, platform, and payment details. Contact your bank or payment app—you may be able to dispute some transfers. Block the person.