Romance Scam Basics

❤️ Imagine this: You join a dating app or social platform and meet someone who seems perfect. They shower you with affection, call you their soulmate, and talk about a future together. But soon, they mention a crisis — a medical bill, travel expense, or business problem. They ask you to send money because "love means trust."

Weeks or months later, you're left heartbroken and financially drained.

📊 The Reality: Romance scams cost victims more than $1.3 billion worldwide in 2022 — making them the most expensive type of online scam. Victims lose not only money, but also emotional security.

👥 Who's at Risk?

Divorced or widowed adults seeking companionship.

Young adults new to online dating.

Anyone who is lonely or looking for meaningful connection.

How Romance Scams Work

Romance scams typically follow the Charm → Bond → Crisis → Exploit cycle:

Charm 🌹 Scammer sets up a fake profile with stolen photos. They're often "successful professionals" (engineers, military, doctors) working abroad.

Bond 💌 They message daily, building emotional connection. Victims feel flattered and wanted.

Crisis 🚨 After weeks of trust-building, the scammer introduces a problem: • Hospital emergency • Stolen wallet while traveling • Business deal that needs "temporary funds"

Exploit 💸 Victim sends money — often multiple times. The scammer disappears once funds dry up, or continues extracting until suspicion arises.

Real-World Example

In 2021, a Toronto woman lost $450,000 to a romance scammer she met online. The man claimed to be a U.S. engineer working overseas. He built trust for months, then requested money for "business emergencies." By the time she realized it was a scam, her retirement savings were gone.

💔 The Emotional Impact

Romance scams are particularly devastating because they exploit our deepest human need for connection and love. Victims often feel ashamed and embarrassed, making them less likely to report the crime or seek help. The emotional trauma can last long after the financial loss.