Why are Romance Scams on the Rise in Southwest Louisiana?
“The individual insists you send money in ways that are hard to trace or recover – for example, by wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. “
Online romance can lead to heartbreak in more ways than one. Romance scams (also known as online dating scams) occur when criminals pose as potential partners to win your affection – and then your money. It’s a widespread problem: in 2022, nearly 70,000 Americans reported losing money to romance scams, with total losses reaching $1.3 billion. These scams prey on emotions and trust, often leaving victims financially devastated and emotionally bruised. By understanding how romance scammers operate and knowing the warning signs, you can protect both your heart and your wallet.
What Are Romance Scams?
A romance scam typically starts innocently on a dating site, app, or social media. You meet someone who seems genuinely interested and caring. They might claim to be working abroad or serving in the military – some reason that makes it hard to meet in person. The relationship progresses quickly: they shower you with attention, pet names, and even talk of a future together. The catch? Sooner or later, your charming new “love” concocts a crisis or urgent need for money.
Scammers often create fake profiles using stolen photos and fictional personas. They spend weeks or months gaining your trust. Then comes the sob story: a medical emergency, a business deal gone bad, a plane ticket to finally visit you – always something urgent and compelling. Finally, they ask you to send money to help them out. Once you do, the scammer may vanish, or continue the cycle with new excuses until you realize it’s a scam.
Red Flags: How to Spot a Romance Scam
Not sure if your online admirer is legitimate? Look out for these common red flags that romance scammers often display:
They rush intimacy: The person professes love or strong feelings surprisingly quickly, despite never meeting you in person. They might call you their “soulmate” after just a few chats. Genuine relationships take time to develop; instant love declarations are suspicious.
Excuses not to meet: They always have a reason they can’t meet face-to-face. Often they’ll claim to be overseas for work (e.g. an oil rig, military deployment) or on a remote assignment. Plans to visit you fall through at the last minute due to some crisis or travel issue.
Sob stories and money requests: Sooner or later, your online friend asks for financial help. It might be to pay for a sudden medical emergency, bail them out of legal trouble, or help with travel expenses to finally see you. They make it sound urgent and temporary – just a loan, or “you’d do this if you love me.” In reality, this is the core of the scam.
Unusual payment methods: The individual insists you send money in ways that are hard to trace or recover – for example, by wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Scammers prefer these methods because it’s nearly impossible for victims to get their money back. If someone you’ve never met asks for a gift card code or a crypto transfer, it’s a huge warning sign.
Online dating scammers exploit emotions to manipulate victims. The broken heart key on the keyboard symbolizes heartbreak in an online relationship, while the cash hints at the financial losses. Romance scammers build trust over time, only to concoct urgent pleas for money and leave their targets both heartbroken and defrauded.
How to Protect Yourself from Romance Scams
Falling in love is wonderful, and meeting people online can be rewarding. But it’s important to stay cautious. Here are some expert-recommended tips to avoid becoming a victim of a romance scam:
Go slow and ask questions: Don’t rush into an online relationship. Scammers often push for quick commitment. Take your time to get to know someone. If details of their stories don’t add up, press for specifics – a scammer might slip up or get defensive.
Protect your personal info: Be careful what you share on your dating profile or social media. Scammers gather details (like your hometown or pets’ names) to better convince you they’re genuine or even to guess security questions. Keep your personal and financial information private until you truly know someone.
Beware requests for money: The golden rule is never send money or gifts to someone you haven’t met in person. No matter how convincing their story or emergency, stop. A legitimate love interest will never make random financial demands. If you suspect a ploy, cut off communication immediately.
Do a reverse image search: One handy trick – perform a reverse image search of your admirer’s profile picture. Scammers often steal photos. If that same picture shows up under different names or on scam warning sites, you’ve caught a fraud. Likewise, try searching parts of their story (job + “scam,” e.g., “engineer romance scam”) to see if others reported similar approaches.
Stay on the dating platform: Be wary if someone you just met online quickly wants to move conversations off the official app (to text, email, WhatsApp, etc.). Dating sites have some safety measures; scammers often push to communicate privately where it’s easier to avoid being tracked or reported.
Trust friends or family instincts: If friends or family raise concerns about your new online love, listen. Often, outsiders can spot inconsistencies or manipulative behavior that’s hard to see when you’re emotionally involved. Don’t let a scammer isolate you from people who care about you.
How to Report it?
Finally, if you realize you are dealing with a romance scammer, don’t be afraid to cut them off. It might feel harsh if you’ve developed real feelings, but remember – it’s all a con on their end. Stop all communication immediately. If you sent money, report the fraud to your bank or gift card issuer right away. Document any details (chat logs, emails, receipts) in case authorities need them.
Reporting the scam can help others. You can file a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or with SAFE Net at SafeNetSWLA.org/report-a-scam. While it’s difficult to recover lost money, it's not impossible. Reporting provides law enforcement with information to track and crack down on scammers.
Romance scams are painful, but by staying alert to the red flags and following these precautions, you can enjoy online dating more safely. Remember: a real romance will respect your boundaries – and your finances – long before ever asking for a dime.
