Romance scams, also known as dating scams, catfishing, or love bait, are a growing type of fraud where someone pretends to be in a relationship with you to gain your trust and steal your money.

These scams often start on dating apps like Tinder, Hinge, or Plenty of Fish, or social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Scammers frequently use fake profiles, sometimes with stolen photos or impersonating celebrities, and send friendly or flirty messages to start conversations. Once a connection is made, they quickly build an emotional bond — messaging you regularly, complimenting you, and even talking about the future.

Their goal is to earn your trust so they can ask for money under false pretenses. These requests are often tied to emotional or urgent situations, such as a family emergency, travel problems, a frozen bank account, or a promising investment opportunity. Whether the pressure is subtle or intense, the ultimate goal is always financial gain — leaving victims emotionally devastated and financially drained.

Common Types of Romance Scams

Romance Bait (also known as "Pig Butchering")

Scammers first build an emotional connection with the victim, then slowly convince them to invest money. Once they take the money, they disappear. Scammers call this "pig butchering," but we prefer "romance bait" because it places the blame where it belongs — on them.

Celebrity Romance Scams

In these scams, fraudsters impersonate celebrities using fake or secret accounts. They may send friendly messages to fans, then gradually start asking for money, often using excuses like being unable to access their accounts or needing help with a personal emergency.

Military, Oil Rig, or Business Scams

These scams involve fraudsters claiming to be professionals stranded overseas — in the military, on an oil rig, or in a senior business role. They may seem reliable at first, but eventually claim to need help with travel, documents, or a financial emergency.