Romance scams don’t start with a request for money. They start with attention: messages every day, compliments, shared plans for the future. Only once trust is built does the “emergency” or “investment opportunity” appear.
Scammers are patient and convincing, and anyone can be targeted. Knowing the signs, and checking a profile’s photos early, is the best protection.
Quick check: run their profile photos through a reverse image search. If the pictures appear under a different name, on a model’s account or on a stock photo site, you’re talking to a fake profile.
The warning signs
- Things move very fast. Intense affection, talk of love or marriage within days or weeks.
- They want to leave the dating app quickly for WhatsApp, Telegram or private email.
- They never video call, or the camera is always “broken”, or the call drops before you see them properly.
- Their story keeps them far away: working abroad, on an oil rig, in the military or travelling for business.
- Their photos look professional, like a model’s portfolio, with few ordinary everyday pictures.
- Plans to meet always fall through at the last minute.
- Money comes up: a medical bill, customs fee, plane ticket, or a “can’t lose” crypto or trading opportunity.
- They ask you to keep it secret from friends and family.
How to check a dating profile’s photos
- Screenshot two or three of their photos and crop out the app’s buttons and text.
- Upload each one to our free Reverse Image Search.
- Check Google Lens and Yandex first, then Bing and TinEye.
- Look for the same face with a different name, on a model or influencer’s account, or on a stock photo site.
If nothing comes up, the photos could come from a private account or be AI-generated. Our guide on how to tell if a photo is AI-generated explains what to look for, and our Instagram fake account guide covers more profile checks.
Ask for a live video call
A short live video call is one of the simplest tests. Real people can almost always manage one. Someone who keeps finding excuses, weeks into a relationship, is a serious warning sign.
What to do if you think it’s a scam
- Stop sending money, gift cards or crypto, whatever the reason given.
- Don’t share more personal information or photos.
- Save the evidence: screenshots of the profile, messages and any payment details.
- Report the profile to the dating app or social network.
- If you’ve paid, contact your bank or payment provider straight away, and report it to the police or your country’s fraud reporting service. In the US, that’s ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
If someone threatens to share intimate images of you unless you pay, don’t pay, and don’t send more. Save the messages, report the account, and contact the police. StopNCII.org can help stop intimate images being shared on participating platforms.
Talk to someone you trust
Scammers work hard to make you feel that nobody else would understand. Talking it through with a friend or family member is one of the quickest ways to see the situation clearly. Being targeted is nothing to be ashamed of; these are professional criminals.
Frequently asked questions
Can a scammer use a real person’s photos?
Yes, and they often do. They copy photos from real people’s social media, which is why the same face can appear under several names.
They sent me a photo of themselves holding a sign with my name. Is that proof?
Not anymore. Photos like that can be edited or generated with AI. A live video call is far more reliable.
What if their photos don’t show up anywhere?
That doesn’t prove they’re real. Keep watching for the warning signs and ask for a live video call.
Something doesn’t feel right? Check their photos with our free Reverse Image Search. It’s free and takes a minute.