Guides / Common scams
Romance scams and online "friends"
Someone you've never met asks for money. That's the scam.
Romance scammers build relationships online over weeks or months. Eventually there's an emergency, a travel cost, or an "investment opportunity". People of every age and background are targeted.
Red flags
- They can never video call or meet in person
- They move the conversation quickly to a private app
- A sudden emergency that needs money
- They introduce a crypto or trading platform where they're "making a lot"
- They ask you to keep the relationship secret
What to do
- Never send money, gift cards or crypto to someone you haven't met in person
- Do a reverse image search of their photos
- Talk to a friend or family member you trust
- Report the profile to the site or app, and to ReportFraud.ftc.gov
General educational information, not legal advice. Dime Wisdom isn't paid by any bank, security company or government agency.