Not every scam is a threat. Some are built on kindness. A romance or “friendly stranger” scammer earns your trust over weeks or months, then uses that bond to take your money. It is one of the most painful and costly scams, and it often starts in the most ordinary way.
How it works. It can begin with a dating app, a social media friend request, or even a “wrong number” text that turns into daily chatting. The person is warm, attentive, and quick to call you special (this is called love bombing). They always have a reason they cannot meet or video call. Eventually there is a money moment: an emergency, a customs fee, or, increasingly, an “amazing investment,” often in cryptocurrency, that they will help you with. That last version is now extremely common. In 2025, nearly 30% of people who reported losing money to a scam said it started on social media.
Red flags:
- A fast, intense online relationship with someone you have never met in person.
- They always have an excuse to avoid a live video call. If a call does happen, that is not proof either. Scammers now use AI to fake video, so watch for a stiff face, odd lighting, or lips that do not match the words.
- Talk turns to money, a crisis, or a “guaranteed” investment they will guide you through.
- They ask you to keep the relationship or the investment secret from family.
A quick example. A kind man you met online says he loves you after two weeks and needs $3,000 for a medical emergency abroad, but asks you not to tell your daughter. Urgency, a strong feeling, an odd payment, and secrecy. It is a scam, no matter how real the feelings seem.
What to do:
- Never send money, gift cards, or crypto to someone you have not met in person, no matter how close you feel.
- Do a reverse image search of their photos (they are often stolen). You can still ask to video call early, but a video call is no longer proof of who someone is. The rule that still holds is simple: never send money to someone you have not met in person.
- Talk to someone you trust before sending anything. Scammers count on secrecy.
- There is no shame in this, it happens to careful people. Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.