Romance Scams/Dating Scams/Love Scams
A Trust-Based Relationship Scam – A Romance Imposter Scam
Catalog of Scams – A SCARS Institute Resource
Catalog of Scams: Romance Scams
A romance scam is a fraudulent scheme where scammers create fake online identities to deceive victims into believing they are in a genuine romantic relationship. The scam typically begins on social media platforms, dating apps, or messaging services, where the scammer pretends to be someone trustworthy, often presenting themselves as an attractive individual with an appealing personal story.
The initial phase of the scam involves creating an emotional connection with the victim, which can sometimes last for weeks or months. During this time, the scammer employs various techniques to gain the victim’s trust, including sharing details of a fabricated life, sending affectionate messages, and even expressing love or the desire for a future together. The scammer may also use personal stories of hardship, fake photos, and crafted narratives to seem more believable.
Once the emotional bond is established, the scammer typically begins to ask for money. These requests are often framed around emergencies or situations designed to elicit sympathy, such as a medical crisis, an accident, a need for travel funds to meet the victim, or business-related issues. The scammer may claim they are overseas, working in the military, or in a profession that conveniently keeps them from meeting the victim in person, which makes their requests seem more plausible.
These scams often escalate, with scammers asking for increasingly large sums of money under the guise of urgent need. They may also ask for sensitive personal information, such as bank details, social security numbers, or copies of identification documents, which can lead to identity theft. Romance scammers are skilled at keeping their victims emotionally invested, even when they start to have doubts. They might promise to repay the money or make plans to meet in person to maintain the illusion of a real relationship.
Another tactic used by romance scammers is creating a sense of urgency, pressuring victims to act quickly under the pretense of an immediate crisis. This tactic prevents victims from taking the time to think critically about the situation or discuss it with friends or family who might recognize the scam.
The impact of romance scams is not limited to financial loss. Many victims experience emotional devastation after realizing they have been deceived. The betrayal of trust, combined with feelings of shame and embarrassment, can have long-lasting effects on a victim’s mental health and self-esteem.
In many cases, romance scams are part of organized criminal operations, often run by groups who target multiple victims simultaneously. These scams have become increasingly sophisticated, making it difficult for victims to recognize the deception until significant damage has been done.
Understanding the warning signs of a romance scam, such as requests for money, unwillingness to meet in person, or overly fast emotional attachment, is essential in protecting oneself from falling victim to these schemes.
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Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- Enroll in FREE SCARS Scam Survivor’s School now at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
SCARS Resources:
- Getting Started Right: ScamVictimsSupport.org
- Sextortion Scam Victims: Sextortion Victims Support – The Essentials (scamvictimssupport.org)
- For New Victims of Relationship Scams newvictim.AgainstScams.org
- Subscribe to SCARS Newsletter newsletter.againstscams.org
- Sign up for SCARS professional support & recovery groups, visit support.AgainstScams.org
- Join our Scam Survivors United Chat & Discussion Group facebook.com/groups/scam.survivors.united
- Find competent trauma counselors or therapists, visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
- Become a SCARS Member and get free counseling benefits, visit membership.AgainstScams.org
- Report each and every crime, learn how to at reporting.AgainstScams.org
- Learn more about Scams & Scammers at RomanceScamsNOW.com and ScamsNOW.com
- Scammer photos ScammerPhotos.com
- SCARS Videos youtube.AgainstScams.org
- Self-Help Books for Scam Victims are at shop.AgainstScams.org
- Donate to SCARS and help us help others at donate.AgainstScams.org
- Worldwide Crisis Hotlines: https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/
Other Cyber Resources
- Block Scam Domains: Quad9.net
- Global Cyber Alliance ACT Cybersecurity Tool Website: Actionable Cybersecurity Tools (ACT) (globalcyberalliance.org) https://act.globalcyberalliance.org/index.php/Actionable_Cybersecurity_Tools_(ACT)_-_Simplified_Cybersecurity_Protection
- Wizer Cybersecurity Training – Free Security Awareness Training, Phishing Simulation and Gamification (wizer-training.com)
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To Learn More Also Look At Our Article Catalogs
Scam & Crime Types
More SCARS
- ScamsNOW Magazine – ScamsNOW.com
- ContraEstafas.org
- ScammerPhotos.com
- AnyScam.com – reporting
- AgainstScams.org – SCARS Corporate Website
- SCARS YouTube Video Channel
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