Beware the love trap: how to spot and avoid romance scams this February

FEBRUARY is traditionally a month for hearts, flowers and romance. But it’s also a time when romance scams spike, as fraudsters take advantage of people’s desire for connection to build trust and then exploit it for money or personal information. 

These scams, while they could lead to heartbreak and disappointment, also have a much darker, more sinister side as they can be financially devastating and emotionally traumatic for victims of all ages.

Romance scammers typically create fake profiles on social media or dating apps, or even impersonate real people, to lure victims into emotional relationships. These days it’s not uncommon to see legitimate profiles hacked and scammers presenting themselves as someone you know.

Once trust is built, they may start asking for money, personal details or favours. Some use sophisticated technology — including AI‑generated images or videos — to appear convincing and to avoid detection.

What a romance scam looks like

Though scammers are good at hiding their intentions, you have a better chance at protecting yourself if you watch for these common warning signs:

• The person moves communication off the original dating platform (to WhatsApp, Telegram, email, etc.) very early.
• They profess love or deep connection quickly, often long before you’ve met in person or talked on a video call.
• They avoid video calls or in‑person meetings, making excuses about poor connectivity or travel.
• The relationship has red flags around delays and emergencies, such as sudden financial trouble or “urgent” fees that only you can help with.
• They ask for money in any form — bank transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency — even with elaborate stories about why it’s needed.
• Their profile looks too perfect, uses stolen or repeated images, or appears inconsistent across social media.

Practical steps to protect yourself

Here are bite‑sized precautions you can take right now:

1. Verify before you trust

Check the person’s full online presence. Search their photos using a reverse image search to see if the pictures appear elsewhere under different names. Genuine profiles usually have consistent information and real social engagement. OK, it may make you feel like a stalker, but if your intentions are not sinister, doing these checks to protect yourself is not a bad idea.

2. Keep conversations on official platforms

Dating apps and well‑known social platforms often have security measures, reporting tools, and ways to flag suspicious accounts. Scammers prefer to move you off the platform quickly.

3. Take it slow

Romantic connections can develop naturally, but rapid declarations of love or urgency are classic scam tactics. Be wary if someone tries to speed the emotional pace or push for secrecy.

4. Protect personal information

Never share sensitive details — home address, financial data, identity numbers, or intimate photos — with someone you’ve only met online. These can be used for identity theft or extortion.

5. Never send money

If someone you’ve never met asks for money — even for what sounds like a legitimate reason — treat it as a red flag. Scammers can fabricate emergencies to make you feel like you’re helping.

6. Watch for isolation

Scammers may encourage you to keep the relationship a secret or disengage from friends and family. If someone tries to cut you off from your support network, pause and question it.

Also remember: Speak to friends and family, and the youth, so that at least they are informed and have their radar up.

After a scam

If you think you’re being targeted:

• Stop all contact immediately.
• Report the profile to the platform where you first met them.
• Contact your bank or financial institution if money was sent and ask about possible refunds.
• Talk to someone you trust — an outsider’s perspective can help you see things more clearly.
• Consider reporting the scam to local law enforcement or a consumer protection body.

Key takeaways

• Scammers build emotional connection to exploit trust before asking for money.
• Red flags include rapid affection, moving off dating apps, requests for money, and evasions of video chats.
• Protect yourself by verifying profiles, taking things slow, safeguarding personal info, and never sending money.
• Reporting suspicious activity helps protect you and others.