Dating site scams: how to spot a scammer before you send money
Quick answer
A match who professes love fast, can never meet and soon needs money is almost certainly a scammer. Never send money, gift cards or crypto to someone you've only met online. Stop contact, keep the messages and report it to the dating site and ic3.gov.
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How it works
The FBI says it received 17,910 romance scam reports to IC3 in 2024, with losses of more than $672 million.
The scam builds trust before it asks for anything:
- A profile with attractive, often stolen photos matches with you.
- They say they're from the US but working or serving abroad.
- Within days they declare love and ask to move to private messaging or another app.
- Plans to meet keep falling through because of an emergency.
- Then comes the ask: money for an emergency, hospital bills or travel, paid by wire, gift cards, cash reload cards or crypto.
Some scammers ask for your bank details to 'deposit money', or ask you to receive and forward funds. The FBI says that usually means they're using your account for other theft or fraud. The FBI also warns that AI-generated photos, video and messages make fake personas more convincing.
Red flags
- They profess love quickly
- They claim to be from your country but are overseas for work or military service
- They want to move off the dating site to private messaging
- Plans to meet always fall through
- They ask for money, gift cards or crypto, or for your bank account details
- Their photos show up under other names in a reverse image search
- They pressure you to share images you wouldn't want made public
What to do
- 1
Stop sending money
The FTC says never to wire money, use gift or cash reload cards, or send cash to an online love interest.
- 2
Check the profile
Run a reverse image search on their photos. The FBI notes scammers reuse stolen photos. A video call alone isn't proof, because AI can fake it.
- 3
Keep the evidence and stop contact
Save messages, usernames and payment details instead of deleting them.
- 4
If you sent money
Contact your bank or the payment provider right away. See what to do after a data breach if you shared personal details or ID.
- 5
Report it
Report the profile to the dating site, and report to the FTC and ic3.gov.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Dating scammers research you before they start, and a name, a town or a workplace helps them tailor the story. Those details are easy to find on people-search sites. Serus finds the data brokers and people-search sites that list your details where you live and removes you from them, and alerts you when your email or phone number shows up in a breach, so fewer scammers can reach you.
Frequently asked
How can I tell if a dating profile is fake?
Look for fast declarations of love, a claim of being overseas, and a push to leave the site. A reverse image search can show if the photos belong to someone else.
Is it a scam if they ask for money once?
The FTC says an online love interest who asks for money is almost certainly a scam artist.
Why do they ask for my bank account details?
The FBI says someone who needs your account to deposit money is most likely using it for other theft or fraud schemes.
I've sent money. What now?
Contact your bank right away, stop contact, keep records and report it to the dating site, the FTC and ic3.gov.
Sources
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