Romance scams are one of the most common—and most heartbreaking types of online fraud. Cyber criminals create fake profiles, build relationships that feel real over weeks or even months, and use emotional manipulation to gain trust. Their goal isn’t to find love – it’s to gain money and personal information. These scams can happen to anyone at any age. But learning the warning signs can help you stay safe.
Here's how to spot the red flags:
Love bombing
“Love bombing” might sound romantic, but it’s actually a tactic used to build trust quickly through overwhelming affection and attention.
Look out for:
- Excessive compliments, flattery, and attention up front
- Declarations of love after just a couple of days or weeks
- Making future plans about your life together too quickly
Making excuses to never meet
The person you’re talking to is always “too busy” to meet you in person.
Look out for:
- Someone that always refuses to do video calls
- A person that never makes plans to see you in person or always comes up with excuses to never meet
- Someone whose pictures always seem blurry, pixelated, or inconsistent
Sob stories and emergencies
The only time they open up is to inform you of a crisis or something urgent.
Look out for:
- Dramatic emergencies that demand quick sympathy (like medical bills they need to pay overseas, travel delays, or family problems)
- Requests for money or information to get out of an urgent situation
- Claims that only you can help because they can’t ask anyone else
Requests for money or gifts
Once they’ve earned your trust, they ask for favours, presents, or money.
Look out for:
- Pressure to send money, crypto, or gift cards
- Guilt trips if you say no
- Any financial request before meeting in person
Fishing for personal details
They ask for info no romantic partner should need.
Watch for:
- Requests for private photos or videos
- Questions about your SIN, passwords, or banking info
Protect your data (and your heart)
Romance scams can be subtle. Stay alert and trust your gut:
- Use strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Keep devices and apps up to date
- Never send money or personal details to someone you haven’t met
- Use a reverse image search if something feels off
- If anyone pressures you for private or financial info, it’s a red flag
