Romance Scams - OmniWatch Blog

Romance Scams

Romance scams are a form of online fraud that relies on emotional manipulation to build trust before causing financial harm. These schemes often start on dating apps or social platforms and can be difficult to recognize in real time. Here you’ll find OmniWatch’s guides and resources covering online dating scams, common red flags, scammer tactics, and practical steps to take if you or someone you care about is affected.

Illustration of a hand reaching toward a bitcoin above a bear trap, representing pig butchering scams and financial fraud.

Pig butchering scams: How crypto romance scams are stealing millions and how to protect yourself

Key takeaways * Pig butchering scams combine romance, crypto investing, and long-term psychological manipulation. * Victims are groomed over weeks or months before being pushed into fake crypto platforms. * These scams rely on fake dashboards, urgency, sunk-cost pressure, and emotional leverage. * Anyone dating online—especially financially stable singles—can be targeted. * Identity

Visual illustration of deepfake scams, depicting identity manipulation and AI-generated impersonation behind digital screens.

A deep dive into deepfake scams: What they are and how they work

You pick up a call from your boss asking for an urgent wire transfer. The voice is unmistakable—same tone, same cadence, same sense of pressure. The only problem? It’s not them. It’s a deepfake. Powered by artificial intelligence (AI), cybercriminals can now clone anyone’s face or

Smartphone showing suspicious text messages, illustrating romance scam red flags you should never ignore

20 romance scam red flags you should never ignore

Romance scam red flags often appear early, but they can be easy to overlook when emotions are involved. Rather than leading with financial requests, scammers invest time in creating trust and emotional dependency. This guide breaks down the most common romance scam red flags into clear categories so you can

Smartphone showing a message asking for money, illustrating a common romance scam scenario

What to do if you sent money to a romance scammer

If you’ve realized you sent money to a romance scammer, act fast. The steps you take in the next hours and days can limit financial loss, protect your identity, and stop further harm. Key takeaways: What to do right now * Stop all communication immediately * Contact your bank, payment app,

Visual representation of romance scams and fake online identities using blurred digital faces on screens.

Romance scams in 2026: The new tactics, warning signs, and how to protect yourself

Key takeaways * Romance scams are more sophisticated in 2026 with the rise of AI-generated photos, deepfakes, and crypto grooming to steal money or personal information. * Scammers move fast emotionally, avoid in-person contact, and create urgency around emergencies or “investment opportunities.” * Red flags include refusing video calls, pushing to private messaging