Romance scams.
Swipe right. Fall in love. Get scammed. Romance fraud is an emotional con job where someone spends weeks or months building a connection, showering you with attention on dating apps or even out of the blue in your DMs. Then comes the ask. An emergency, a business deal, a plane ticket they just can’t afford.
You want to help, but the truth? They were never who they claimed to be. The realest thing about them is the money they take. If something feels off – listen to that feeling, not the Romeo or Juliet you just met.
How do romance scams work?
Romance scammers use the illusion or love or a romantic connection to trick victims into giving them money.
It starts with an ‘innocent’ message on a dating app or a ‘friendly’ DM on social media. The dating scammer is charming, attentive, and quick to lovebomb. Over time, they build trust, share personal ‘stories,’ and make you feel special. Then comes the catch: they need money.
Whatever the excuse, the reality is the same. You send money, and they disappear – or worse, keep making excuses until you’ve sent everything you have.
What do romance scams look like?
Romance scammers are crafty, and they know just how to pull at your heartstrings. Here are three classic types of romantic fraudsters you might bump into:
The long-distance lover.
They’re overseas for work, showering you with love – until disaster strikes. A medical emergency, a cancelled flight, a frozen bank account. Just a little cash to fix it…then poof, they’re gone.
The crypto ‘guru’.
They claim to have insider knowledge on the newest crypto goldmine. And they’ve got the shovels. You invest, watch your balance ‘soar’ – but before you try to cash out, your funds are gone, and so is
the scammer.
The Tinder swindler.
You find them on a dating app, and they look like a Hollywood heartthrob – but always have an excuse to avoid video calls. Then comes a sob story and a request for cash. You send it. They disappear.
Spot the romance scam red flags.
Scammers love a good script. Here’s how to spot the red flags before they catch you off guard:
They move too fast.
Declaring love within weeks or worse…days? Red flag.
They avoid video calls.
Excuses about bad Wi-Fi, strict jobs, or broken cameras? Red flag.
They always have an emergency.
Sudden accidents, hospital bills, or legal troubles? Red flag.
They ask for money in odd ways.
Gift cards, wire transfers, or crypto deposits? Red flag.
They can’t meet in person.
Long-distance love with endless excuses? That’s an online dating scam classic. Red flag.
Their profile seems ‘off’.
Few photos, stolen images, or inconsistencies in their story? Check their photos with a reverse image search. Red flag.
They get unreasonably angry.
Do they have a quick temper? Do they threaten to end the relationship at the drop of a hat? Red flag.
What dating scams are out there?
Romance scams can come in different forms, and none of them have a fairytale ending. Stay alert, trust your gut, and never let love cost you more than it should. Some of the most common romance scams include:
Catfish scams.
Fake name, stolen pics, and a made-up life – once you’re hooked, they reel in the cash.
Tinder or other dating app scams.
You swipe right, they swipe your savings with sob stories and fake emergencies.
Crypto romance scams.
They promise you’ll be the next in crypto royalty, then poof – they pull the rug.
Blackmail scams.
You trust them, send some personal pics, and suddenly they're holding them hostage for cash.
Protect yourself from romance fraud.
Okay, now that you know how these romance and online dating app scams work, how can you protect yourself from falling for them? The key is a healthy dose of skepticism.
- Be skeptical of online romances that escalate too quickly.
- Never send money, gifts, or personal details to someone you haven’t met in person.
- Use reverse image searches to check if their photos appear elsewhere online.
- Keep personal details private – scammers use them to manipulate you.
- Talk to a friend or family member if something feels off.
At ME, we know how slick and convincing scams can be, and we’re committed to keeping you one step ahead of fraudsters.
We keep you in the loop with up-to-date alerts on the latest scams making the rounds. Check out our latest scam alerts to stay informed.
Knowledge is mightier than the keyboard. Something feeling a bit shady? Visit our Protect Yourself page and shine a light on it.
If in doubt, call ME on 13 15 65 before making a payment.
Have you been the target of a romance scam?
It can be scary to realise that you’re being scammed – but don’t panic, you’ve still got options:
Here's what to do.
Cut contact immediately
Block them on all platforms. No more messages, calls, or ‘just checking in’ responses.
Report it.
Let the right people know.
ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) If the scam involved financial services.
Scamwatch To help track and prevent future scams.
Talk to us We may be able to stop or recover transactions.
Secure your accounts.
Change passwords and PINs for banking, emails, and any other sensitive accounts. If you gave out personal details, consider identity protection services.
Check for chargebacks.
If you paid via credit card or bank transfer, a reversal may be possible.
Stay alert.
Scammers may try again. Be wary of follow-up scams pretending to help you recover lost funds.