Short answer
If you have never met in person, they always have a reason not to video call properly, and the conversation turns to money, gifts or investment, it is very likely a romance scam. These scammers spend weeks or months building trust before they ask.
The rule is simple: don't send money, gifts or codes to someone you have only met online, however real the feelings seem.
What to do if you have doubts
- Pause, and don't send anything while you check.
- Ask for a live video call at a time you choose. Be careful if the video is always short or blurry.
- Search their profile photos with an image search. Scammers often use stolen or AI-made pictures.
- Tell a friend or family member the whole story and listen to their view.
- If you have sent money, call your bank's official hotline and report to the police on 113.
- Block the account and report it on the app.
Common signs
- They are very attractive, successful and fall for you fast.
- They work somewhere far away: overseas, on a ship, in the army, at a remote site.
- They want to move from the dating app to a private chat quickly.
- They tell you about an investment app that made them rich and offer to teach you.
- A parcel or gift is "stuck at customs" and you must pay a fee.
- Something urgent happens to them, like a hospital bill or a frozen account.
How AI changed romance scams
Scammers now use AI to write warm, fluent messages in your language, to run many conversations at once, and to make photos and even short videos of a person who doesn't exist. Good spelling and sweet words prove nothing about who is on the other side.
The investment twist
Many romance scams end in an investment trap. The partner shows you a website or app where your balance grows quickly. You can withdraw a small amount at first, then larger withdrawals are blocked by fees and taxes. The website is controlled by the scammer, and the numbers on it are not real.
If you feel embarrassed, remember these groups do this as a full-time job. Talking about it early is the best way to limit the loss.
Common questions
We video called once. Does that mean they are real?
Not always. Short, dark or glitchy calls can be faked or prerecorded. What matters most is whether they ask for money.
They never asked for money, only for me to invest. Is that different?
No. Pushing you to invest on a site they chose is one of the most common ways romance scammers take money.
How can I help a parent who is in an online relationship?
Stay calm and kind, ask questions, and look at the messages together. Shame makes people hide things, so avoid blaming them.
Reviewed October 2026