Email & Online
Romance scam
Someone you met online — through a dating site, social media, or even a word game — builds a warm relationship over weeks or months, then starts asking for money. There is always a reason they cannot meet in person or video chat, and always an emergency that only your money can fix. The person on the other end is usually a professional criminal working from a script, often using stolen photos.
What it looks like
Example scam message“My love, I hate to ask this. My work equipment is stuck in customs and I need $1,800 to release it. Once the contract pays out I will fly to you and pay back every cent, I promise.”
Details like names, amounts, and links change — the pattern stays the same.
Red flags to watch for
- Strong feelings very quickly, but they can never meet or video chat.
- They ask you to keep the relationship secret from family and friends.
- Emergencies that need your money: medical bills, plane tickets, customs fees, a business problem.
- Requests for gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
What to do
- Stop sending money, no matter how real the relationship feels.
- Talk to someone you trust about it — saying the story out loud often reveals the holes.
- Try a reverse image search of their photos; scammers reuse stolen pictures.
- If you sent money, contact your bank and report it. It is not your fault, and you are not alone.
Where to report it
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ShieldGuard provides informational guidance to help you spot likely scams. It is not legal or financial advice and not a guarantee — no tool catches every scam. When money is involved, slow down and talk to someone you trust before acting.