Romance and Relationship Scams

What are romance scams

Romance scams are when someone pretends to like you or wants to start a friendship or relationship, but they are not being honest. They say kind things and try to gain your trust but in reality they are only doing it to ask for money or personal information.

These scams can feel real because the people running them are careful and patient. They take time to build trust before asking for anything. That is why it is important to be aware of the signs.

How these scams usually work

Scammers often begin by messaging you and being friendly. They might send photos that are fake or stolen from other people. They ask questions to get to know you and say things that make you feel good or special. Over time they start asking for help. That usually means money.

They might say they need money for:

• Medical bills or treatment.
• Travel so they can visit you.
• A family emergency
• Help with work problems or legal trouble.

They often avoid meeting in real life. They might refuse video calls and want to move the chat from the original app to text or WhatsApp. This helps them stay hidden and makes it harder to report them.

Signs to look out for

Here are some early warning signs that someone might not be telling the truth:

• They say they love you or care about you very quickly.
• They will not meet in person and always have excuses.
• They ask for money or gift cards even small amounts.
• Their photos look too perfect or too professional
• Their stories seem dramatic emotional or keep changing.
• They do not want to video call.

If you spot one or more of these signs it is best to stop and talk to someone you trust.

How to protect yourself

Check their story. If you are not sure about their photos you can search for the image online to see if it shows up on other websites.

Talk about it with someone you trust. Never keep it to yourself. A second opinion can really help.

Do not send money to anyone you have never met in real life. If they ask for it there is a high chance it is a scam.

What to do if you have already sent money or shared personal info

If this has already happened, you are not alone and you are not to blame. These scams are very convincing and anyone can fall for them.

• Stop talking to the person immediately.
• Tell your bank or payment provider as soon as you can.
• Change any passwords or logins you shared.
• Report it at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
• Talk to someone about how you are feeling. It is normal to feel upset or confused and you deserve support.

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