What parents need to know
Many friendships and relationships start online now. But while some people are genuine, others are not. Romance scams happen when someone pretends to be interested in arelationship but is really trying to gain trust and ask for money.
These scams are carefully planned and often feel very real. Victims are left hurt, confused, and out of pocket. Young people need to know that kind words online don’t always mean someone has good intentions.
How romance scams work
Scammers try tobuild a personal connection first. They use photos that are often stolen orgenerated by AI. They learn about your interests and say the right things togain trust. Once that trust is built, they ask for help—usually in the form ofmoney.
They may claim to need money for:
- Medical care or hospital bills
- Travel to visit you
- A family emergency
- Business costs or legal issues
They often avoid meeting in person or doing video calls and try to move the conversation off the dating app quickly, often to WhatsApp or text. This makes it harder for the app to track or stop them.
Warning signs your child should know
These early signs can help children and teens recognise when something isn’t right:
- The person says they love or care deeply for them very quickly
- They refuse to meet in real life or make excuses to avoid video chats
- They ask for any kind of money, even just a small amount
- Their photos look overly perfect or too glamorous
- Their stories sound dramatic, emotional, or seem to change over time
What your child can do to stay safe
- Check their story - Teach your child how to do areverse image search. It’s easy to spot stolen pictures by checking if the samephoto appears elsewhere.
- Talk about it openly - Make sure your childknows they can always come to you if they’re unsure about someone online. Asecond opinion can make all the difference.
- Don’t send money to someone you’ve never met - Nomatter how close someone may seem, your child should never send money, giftcards, or help with costs. If someone asks for this, it’s a scam.
What to do if it’s already happened
If your child has sent money or shared personal information:
- Stop all communication with the person immediately
- Contact your bank as soon as possible—they might be able to reverse thepayment
- Change any passwords, logins, or codes that were shared
- Report the scam to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040
- Offer emotional support. These scams can feel like real relationships, and it’s normal to feel upset or embarrassed. Let your child know they’re not alone
