Scams targeting online daters

Never invest based on a romantic contact's recommendation.

Treat recovery outreach after a romance scam as likely secondary fraud.

Reverse image search the profile and pause before sending anything.

Do not send money to anyone who cannot verify identity outside the romance narrative.

Verify with a live video call and outside social proof before believing the story.

Never move money to a romantic contact you have not met and verified.

Treat any payment-before-payment arrangement as fraud.

Do not pay package release fees for gifts from online-only partners.

Verify through an independent hospital number before believing any emergency.

Separate emotional relationships from financial decisions entirely.

Never trade based on private group pressure or unverifiable gains.

Avoid trading services that rely on chat-only mentorship and guaranteed returns.

Demand independently verifiable performance and test withdrawal before trusting a platform.

Check licenses and filings before sending funds to private clubs.

Avoid handing capital to unlicensed mentors from social media.

Only pursue pre-IPO investments through regulated, documented channels.

Try a small withdrawal early and stop at the first excuse.

Do not pay extra fees to release fake gains.

Treat unsolicited legal recovery outreach as suspicious and verify the firm through public registries.

Treat offshore contractor money stories as suspicious until the identity is independently proven.

Do not send funds to unlock inheritance, estates, or cross-border transfers for a romantic contact.

Do not pay any fee to receive money from a stranger who claims to be setting up support.

Assume direct romantic or financial outreach from famous figures is fraudulent unless proven through official channels.

Attempt a small withdrawal before trusting any AI or automated trading platform.

Do not fund broker or wallet accounts shared only inside a chat group.

Verify token sales from official project channels and never trust a wallet address shared in DMs.

Treat mining-hosting platforms as unverified until you confirm the business, facility, and payout reality independently.

Know your state's community property vs. common law rules for marital debt.

Never send gift cards or gift card photos to someone you have not met in person.

Check delivery status only through the carrier's official website or app using your tracking number.

Do not pay — payment rarely stops the threats and often leads to increased demands.

Reverse image search the profile photos — stolen military photos are commonly reused across scam accounts.

Alert the care facility administration and request a review of visitor logs and resident interactions.

Never click external links sent by matches — legitimate dating apps handle verification within the app.

Never share your Social Security number or government ID through a link sent by a dating match.

Stay on the original dating platform — there is no legitimate reason to move to an unknown external site.

Suggest a mainstream video app like FaceTime, Zoom, or Google Meet — a legitimate person will agree.

Do not pay for background checks through links sent by dating matches.

Recognize that no legitimate dating platform requires a separate safety ID — this is always a scam.

Use only the built-in verification features of dating apps — Bumble, Tinder, and Hinge all have native photo verification.

Only upgrade your dating app membership through the official app or website — never through external links.

Share your location with a trusted friend using built-in phone features instead of external check-in links.

Get STI testing through your own healthcare provider or a reputable clinic — never through a link from a dating match.

Be cautious of new contacts who engage publicly before quickly moving to private messages.

No one can guarantee returns on cryptocurrency — guaranteed profit claims are always a scam.

Strangers offering free money online are always scammers — no legitimate person sends money to people they do not know.

Never send money to someone you have not met in person, regardless of how strong the emotional connection feels.

Check account status by opening the official Robinhood app — never through links in messages.

Verify account activity only through the official Robinhood app.

Access tax documents only through the official Robinhood app under Account > Statements & History > Tax Documents.

Robinhood IPO Access is free — never pay anyone for IPO access through any platform.

Check for margin calls only through the official Robinhood app — real margin calls generate in-app notifications.

Never send money to someone you have only met online, regardless of how strong the connection feels.

Insist on meeting in person or conduct a live video call where you ask them to perform spontaneous actions.

Do not engage with wrong number texts from strangers — block the number immediately.

Verify LinkedIn connections by checking their employment history with the actual companies listed.

Be suspicious of strangers on Instagram who DM you about investment opportunities, regardless of how glamorous their profile appears.

Leave immediately if you are added to a WhatsApp investment group without your consent.

Verify any crypto exchange on CoinMarketCap, CoinGecko, or check if it is registered with FinCEN.

Verify any forex platform's regulatory status with the NFA at nfa.futures.org or the FCA at register.fca.org.uk.

Invest in gold only through established and regulated dealers listed on the CFTC or your country's financial regulator.

Verify any crowdfunding platform's SEC registration at sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar.

Only bet through licensed and regulated sportsbooks in your jurisdiction.

Keep gaming friendships and financial decisions completely separate.