Romance Scam — A romance scam is a relationship-based confidence crime in which an offender creates a false or stolen identity, develops emotional attachment, and exploits the resulting trust for money, property, information, account access, criminal assistance, or another benefit. The offender commonly uses frequent communication, rapid declarations of love, emotional mirroring, future promises, fabricated vulnerability, and carefully timed crises while avoiding ordinary independent verification and repeatedly preventing an in-person meeting. Financial requests frequently involve medical emergencies, travel expenses, business problems, customs charges, legal difficulties, military restrictions, family needs, investments, gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or requests to receive and forward money, and the emotional relationship makes each request appear connected to a shared future rather than a criminal scheme. The victim’s attachment remains psychologically real even though the identity and circumstances were manufactured, because the crime targets normal human capacities for trust, empathy, hope, loyalty, and love rather than any defect in intelligence or character. — Relationship Fraud

Added September 29, 2026

Romance Scam — A romance scam uses a fabricated or deceptive relationship to obtain money, information, or assistance. The criminal develops emotional attachment through sustained communication and promises. Requests for financial help turn the relationship into a vehicle for exploitation. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Romance scam — A romance scam is a planned crime that uses a false romantic relationship to obtain money or other value. Criminals construct identities, develop attachment, and turn apparent intimacy into financial influence. The victim’s sincere feelings do not make the criminal’s claims or intentions genuine. — Crime Types

Added October 15, 2026