Scam awareness
💔 Online romance and friendship scams
A warm new online friend or sweetheart slowly builds trust — then asks for money.
Reviewed May 2026
🚩 Warning signs
- Someone you've never met in person becomes very affectionate very quickly.
- They always have a reason they can't video call or meet face-to-face.
- After building trust, they ask for money, gift cards, or help moving funds.
- Their stories involve emergencies, travel problems, or a big payout that's "almost here."
✅ What to do
- Never send money or gift cards to someone you have not met in person.
- Slow down and talk to a friend or family member about your new friend.
- Try a video call. Refusing to ever video chat is a major red flag.
- It's okay to simply stop replying. You owe a stranger nothing.
📖 A real example
After weeks of sweet messages, Helen's online 'friend' needed money for a flight to finally meet her. A relative gently helped her see the pattern — it was a scam.
🆘 If it already happened
- Stop sending money immediately and keep any messages as a record.
- Tell someone you trust — there is no shame in this; it happens to kind people.
- Report it to the FTC and your bank if money was sent.
Reassurance: being targeted is not your fault, and it happens to careful people every day. Acting quickly helps.
These scammers are patient and convincing, and being targeted says nothing bad about you. The kindest thing you can do is talk it over with someone you trust.
📞 Report it or get help