{"id":12947,"date":"2021-08-21T09:00:24","date_gmt":"2021-08-21T16:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/socialcatfish.com\/blog\/?p=12947"},"modified":"2026-01-22T12:23:52","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T20:23:52","slug":"romance-scammer-tactics-how-to-catch-a-romance-scammer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/socialcatfish.com\/scamfish\/romance-scammer-tactics-how-to-catch-a-romance-scammer\/","title":{"rendered":"Romance Scammer Tactics: How to Catch a Romance Scammer"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)<\/a> reported over $300 million in financial losses to romance scams in 2020. This figure highlights the likelihood of meeting a romance scammer<\/a> instead of finding love online. You will not only be left with an empty wallet, but you may also find it hard to accept that you just got betrayed by someone you trusted and loved.<\/a>\u00a0Read this article to avoid going through this emotional roller coaster, learn about the romance scammer tactics, and find out how you can prevent romance scams.<\/a><\/p>\n

Romance Scammer Tactics: How to Catch a Romance Scammer<\/h2>\n[aesop_image img=”https:\/\/socialcatfish.com\/scamfish\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/pexels-cristian-dina-1851415-scaled.jpg” panorama=”off” imgwidth=”100%” align=”center” lightbox=”off” captionsrc=”custom” captionposition=”center” revealfx=”off” overlay_revealfx=”off”]\n

Romance scammers are scattered in different countries and across various social media<\/a> and dating platforms.<\/a> That is why you should know the following usual tactics to easily spot them and keep yourself from being a victim:<\/p>\n

Living in a Foreign Country<\/h3>\n

One of the most common romance scammer tactics is telling you that they are based abroad \u2014 a perfect excuse not to meet you in person. They will say they work in the military<\/a> and have been deployed in another country. Others will pretend they\u2019re a doctor at an international organization or that they\u2019re handling a construction project overseas.<\/p>\n

Sending Intimate Photos<\/h3>\n

Romance scammers<\/a> are experts at sending sweet messages that will give you butterflies. They will even declare their love for you quickly. Then, they will ask to send or exchange intimate photos<\/a> or videos. However, they will eventually blackmail you, saying that they will share this private content with your family and friends if you don\u2019t send them money.<\/p>\n

Needing Money for Emergencies<\/h3>\n

Once romance scammers<\/a> think you trust them, they will make excuses to ask you for money. For example, they will say they need it for travel expenses or hospital bills. Others pretend they\u2019re trying to set up a new business, or a family member died. No matter how urgent the situation sounds, do not send them money.<\/p>\n[aesop_image img=”https:\/\/socialcatfish.com\/scamfish\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/pexels-cottonbro-7341880-scaled.jpg” panorama=”off” imgwidth=”100%” align=”center” lightbox=”off” captionsrc=”custom” captionposition=”center” revealfx=”off” overlay_revealfx=”off”]\n

Sending Gifts<\/h3>\n

Romance scammer tactics also include sending gifts<\/a> from a foreign country. You may get all excited, but they will soon tell you to pay for tax or shipping. Then, they will request the money to be sent through wire transfer, reload cards, or gift cards. Scammers want these methods because it will be nearly impossible for you to reverse the payment.<\/p>\n

Leaving the Dating App<\/h3>\n

Another common technique of romance scammers is asking to leave the dating app<\/a> where you met and continue communicating using other platforms.<\/a> They do this even in the early stage of the relationship to avoid getting banned from online dating sites. They will also have more control of the situation if you start talking outside the app.<\/p>\n

Using Fake Profile Photos<\/h3>\n

Since romance scammers are hiding their identity<\/a>, they will use profile photos that seem off. They will either use stock images, like places, or pictures of models.<\/a> If you browse their profile, you will see limited photos, with none showing their whole body. If they can\u2019t give you a photo with family, friends, or other distinct shots, then you might just be dating a romance scammer.<\/p>\n

How To Avoid Romance Scammer Tactics<\/h2>\n[aesop_image img=”https:\/\/socialcatfish.com\/scamfish\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/pexels-karolina-grabowska-7679533-scaled.jpg” panorama=”off” imgwidth=”100%” align=”center” lightbox=”off” captionsrc=”custom” captionposition=”center” revealfx=”off” overlay_revealfx=”off”]\n

To help you catch romance scammers<\/a> before you fall for them, perform these steps:<\/p>\n