Romance scammers use flattery and manipulation to gradually gain their victims' trust. And, by preying on the victims' desire to be loved, hopes or emotional vulnerability, they get the information they need to scam their victims.
How to Spot a Romance Scam
A warning sign could be if someone you’ve met on a dating website attempts to move the conversation away from the website. They may also ask many questions about you, but offer little information about themselves. They may be reluctant to meet in person and might have a ‘sob story’ to tell, which results in them asking you for money.
While you may feel like you’re being swept up in a big romance, take some time to stop and think, and perhaps consider discussing any warning signs with people who you know well and trust, such as close friends or relatives. Scammers also often use someone else’s image online, so it may be worth doing an internet search to see if the photo actually belongs to someone else.