February is often called the month of love because of Valentine’s Day. Many people turn to dating apps and social media to find companionship. However, not everyone online has good intentions. Scammers are using fake identities to manipulate people emotionally and financially, leading to what is known as a romance scam.
Romance scams have become a serious problem worldwide. Scammers create fake profiles, build emotional connections with victims, and then ask for money, gifts, or personal details. As these scams grow more sophisticated, tech companies and regulators are stepping in to warn users and take action against fraudsters.
What Are Romance Scams?
A romance scam is when a fraudster pretends to be someone else to start a fake romantic relationship and then exploits the victim for financial gain. These scams can occur on various dating apps like Tinder and Bumble, social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, and even through emails and text messages. The scammer often claims to be an attractive, successful, and single person, sometimes posing as a military officer, doctor, or business professional.
Once they gain the victim’s trust, they begin asking for money under different excuses. Some claim they are in financial trouble, while others promise to visit but need funds for travel expenses. In more extreme cases, they even blackmail victims by threatening to release private photos or conversations—a scheme known as sextortion.
How Big is the Problem?
Romance scams have been increasing every year. A report by Moody’s in 2024 revealed that over 1,193 new scam profiles were detected globally, marking a 14% rise from 2023. The top three countries where these scams are most common are:
- United States (38%)
- Nigeria (14%)
- India (12%)
A survey by McAfee, a cybersecurity company, found that 77% of Indians had encountered fake profiles or AI-generated photos on dating sites and social media. Additionally, 39% of Indians admitted that they unknowingly interacted with a scammer, and 26% realized they had been talking to an AI bot instead of a real person.
These numbers indicate that romance scams are not just isolated incidents but a widespread problem affecting millions.
How Do Romance Scams Work?
Scammers follow a specific pattern to deceive their victims. Their tactics usually involve the following steps:
- Creating a Fake Profile – They steal pictures from the internet and build a persona, often portraying themselves as someone wealthy or in a respectable profession.
- Love Bombing – They shower their targets with affection, sending frequent messages and expressing deep emotions too quickly. This helps gain trust and emotional dependence.
- Asking for Money – After building a connection, they come up with reasons to ask for financial help, such as medical emergencies, travel expenses, or business troubles.
- Blackmail or Extortion – In some cases, they trick victims into sending private photos or sensitive information, later using it for blackmail.
These scams can go on for weeks or even months, with victims often losing large sums of money before realizing they have been deceived.
How Are Tech Companies Fighting Back?
To combat romance scams, major tech companies have introduced AI-powered detection systems and safety features to protect users.
- Tech companies like Meta are enhancing their systems to detect and remove fake accounts across various platforms. It also introduced “Safety Notices” on Messenger, warning users if they are chatting with someone from a suspicious location. WhatsApp users can now silence calls from unknown numbers, reducing scam attempts.
- Many dating platforms like Tinder and Bumble are using AI technology to monitor messages and identify potential scam attempts. It also provides warnings within chats if a conversation shows signs of fraud.
- Google has blocked over 13.9 million harmful app installations in India, preventing scams from reaching people. It also partners with India’s Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to track and stop fraudsters.
Despite these efforts, scammers continue to find new ways to deceive users, making awareness and vigilance essential.
Other Online Scams on the Rise
Romance scams are not the only threat. With advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology, fraudsters are developing new methods to trick people. Some of the most common scams include:
- Fake Charity Scams – Fraudsters ask for donations for disaster relief or medical causes, but the money never reaches those in need.
- Celebrity Investment Scams – Scammers use deepfake videos of celebrities promoting fake investment opportunities, especially in cryptocurrency.
- Tech Support Fraud – Fake customer service agents claim there’s a problem with your device or account and trick you into sharing sensitive information.
- Job and Loan Scams – Fraudulent job offers promise high salaries but require advance payments. Similarly, illegal loan apps trap users in debt with hidden charges and high interest rates.
What Can You Do to Stay Safe?
While tech companies are working to stop these scams, individuals must also take steps to protect themselves. Here are some simple safety tips to avoid becoming a victim:
- Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person.
- Be skeptical of online relationships that progress too quickly.
- Avoid sharing personal details like your home address, bank information, or ID documents.
- Check profile authenticity by doing a reverse image search on profile pictures.
- Report suspicious profiles to dating apps, social media platforms, or cybercrime authorities.
Scammers rely on secrecy and emotional manipulation. By staying alert and informed, you can protect yourself and help prevent others from falling into the trap of romance scams.
