11 Cruel Lies Romance Scammers Use To Steal Your Money

Looking for love online can be exciting, but it can also cost you a lot if you aren't careful.

Romance scammers are master manipulators, skilled at crafting stories designed to pull at your heartstrings and drain your bank account.

Falling victim to one of these scams is the way even smart people waste money. Here's how to spot the lies and protect yourself.

One of the first red flags of a romance scam is when your love interest makes excuses for why they can't meet in person. They might claim to work overseas or serve in the military.

These stories are designed to build trust while keeping you at a distance, preventing you from realizing the scammer's feelings and profile are fake.

Romance scammers know how to create a sense of urgency.

One common tactic is claiming they have sent you a valuable package — perhaps a gift or an inheritance — that's stuck in customs or requires a "release fee."

They will ask you to send money to cover this imaginary cost. Of course, the package never arrives.

Scammers often prey on your compassion, sharing heartbreaking tales of sudden illnesses or injuries that require expensive medical care for themselves or their family.

They may even send fake hospital bills or photos to support their story.

Once they have gained your trust, they will ask for financial help, knowing you will feel too guilty to say no.

Some scammers add an emotional twist by involving a fictional child in their story. They might claim their son or daughter needs a new phone, laptop, or school supplies, and that they can't afford to pay for it.

This tactic plays on your sense of responsibility and generosity, especially if you have built an emotional connection with the scammer.

Gift cards are one of the most common payment methods requested by scammers because they're nearly impossible to trace.

In 2021, impacted consumers reported paying romance scammers more often with gift cards than any other payment method, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

Whether it's Amazon, Google Play, or iTunes, be leery if someone asks you to purchase gift cards and share the PINs.

A more sophisticated scam involves asking you to open a bank account on the scammer's behalf. They will claim it's for a business deal or an investment project.

In reality, these accounts are often used for laundering money, leaving you legally and financially vulnerable. The U.S. Secret Service cautions consumers to never open a bank account or start a business on behalf of someone else.

Cryptocurrency scams are on the rise, with scammers claiming it's the only way they can accept money due to international banking issues.

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), scammers prefer cryptocurrency payments — along with gift cards — as they offer a degree of anonymity. Also, after funds are sent to the scammer, the transaction cannot be reversed.

In an unexpected twist, romance scammers aren't always asking for your help. Instead, they may pose as successful entrepreneurs or cryptocurrency investors and offer to help you.

Under the guise of wanting to share the secrets of creating wealth, they'll first encourage you to invest small amounts to gain your trust.

They will then gradually bilk you out of more significant amounts. Any such "investments" go straight to the scammer.

As mentioned before, scammers thrive on creating urgency, pressuring you to act quickly before you can think things through.

They may claim they're in legal trouble, stranded in a foreign country, or need help with an immediate crisis. The goal is to make you feel responsible for their safety and well-being.

The DHS urges consumers to go slowly and ask questions. Do not let the individual rush you into making a decision.

Sextortion — the threat of sharing explicit photos or videos — has increased more than eightfold since 2019, according to the FTC.

The romance scammer may send a graphic image and encourage you to do the same. If you agree to the request, the scammer will grab the image and threaten to share it with your family, friends, co-workers, and social networks unless a payment is made.

This form of emotional blackmail can escalate quickly, leaving victims feeling trapped and ashamed. Tragically, this exploitative practice has even been linked to suicides among victims.

Do not send compromising photos of yourself — or other personally identifying information — to others.

Scammers often claim they need help covering their airfare, visa, and other travel costs to visit you. They will say they're eager to meet, but financial hardships or logistical issues are holding them back.

Once you send the money, their "trip" gets delayed indefinitely — or they disappear altogether.

Romance scams are about financial exploitation. From gift cards to cryptocurrency, scammers have endless tricks to steal your money.

If you fall victim to a scam, remember you're not alone — it happens to many people and doesn't reflect on you. However, you can avoid wasting money by staying informed and cautious.

Trust your gut, listen to the concerns of those around you, and always verify the identity of online connections. Protecting your wallet might just save your heart too.