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

The modern romance scam: A growing threat to online daters

Online dating has never been more accessible—or more risky. As more people turn to apps, social platforms, and messaging to form relationships, scammers have gotten better at blending in and exploiting victims’ emotions.

Today’s romance scams aren’t just about fake military stories or catfishing with stolen photos. In 2026, many scams involve:

• AI-generated faces designed to look hyper-realistic
• Voice cloning to mimic celebrities or influencers
• Deepfake video calls that mask a scammer’s identity
• Crypto investment grooming (also known as “pig butchering”)
• Sextortion and privacy violations
• Coordinated networks using scripts and behavioral psychology

These schemes can last days, weeks, or months, and victims come from every age group, income bracket, and background. Scammers don’t target intelligence; they target emotion.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Understanding how these scams work is the first step toward preventing them—and protecting your peace of mind while you navigate the online dating world.

What exactly is a romance scam?

A romance scam occurs when someone builds a fake romantic or emotional relationship to gain trust—and then uses that trust to steal something of value. Most commonly, this includes money, cryptocurrency, personal identifying information, or even intimate photos they can later use as blackmail.

Scammers will create a persona tailored to what their target wants or needs. They’ll mimic confidence, vulnerability, humor, or ambition. They’ll mirror the victim’s pace. They’ll ask questions, remember details, and build trust over time.

But behind the scenes, the relationship is engineered for one purpose: extraction.

Real-life examples of romance scams

Romance scams come in many forms. Below are some of the most common tactics you’ll encounter in 2026, each revealing how effortlessly fraudsters blend emotional manipulation with financial gain.

The emergency crisis scam

The scammer claims an unexpected crisis and requests money immediately. Common stories include:

• Hospital bills or medical emergencies
• Being robbed while traveling
• Sudden legal trouble
• Stolen passports
• A child or relative in danger

The scammer leans into urgency to get you to act emotionally, rather than logically.

The crypto investment mentor

This increasingly common scam merges romance with financial fraud. After bonding for days or weeks, the scammer introduces an “opportunity” where they claim they’ve already made money. They show screenshots, fake dashboards, or referral links to scam trading platforms.

Many victims believe they’re helping their partner build a future together. This type of scheme is often referred to as pig butchering: Scammers “fatten up” victims before leading them to slaughter.

The customs fee gift scam

The swindler pretends to send:

• Jewelry
• Electronics
• Care packages
• Surprise gifts

Then, they instruct the victim to pay a “customs” or “shipping” fee to release it.

Sextortion and blackmail

Some scammers encourage intimacy early to gain access to private photos or videos. Once they have them, the tone shifts. They threaten to send the content to the victim’s family, coworkers, or social networks unless paid.

The deepfake or AI persona scam

Because AI tools are cheap and widely accessible, scammers now use:

• AI-generated profile photos
• Deepfake videos to appear on camera
• Voice cloning
• AI chat scripts for consistency

This makes spotting fraud much harder than relying on reverse-image searches alone.

The most common types of romance scams in 2026

While every scam has its own storyline, most follow a repeatable pattern across platforms and age groups. Recognizing these types of scams can help you spot red flags early before you get in too deep.

Crypto romance scams

It’s 2026, and scammers are going after bigger payouts.

High-yield crypto investment pitches are one of the fastest-growing scam types. Victims are persuaded to convert cash into Bitcoin, USDT, or other cryptocurrencies and transfer funds to a scammer-controlled wallet.

Crypto transactions are nearly impossible to reverse, making it particularly lucrative and appealing to cybercriminals.

Pig butchering

This method blends emotional grooming with long-term financial fraud. In a pig butchering scheme, cybercriminals aren’t afraid to invest time.

The fraudster spends weeks or months building trust, checking in every day, sharing personal stories, even discussing future plans. Only after attachment is established do they introduce investments.

Victims often lose tens of thousands of dollars before realizing the truth.

Deepfake and AI-driven scams

Deepfakes take catfishing to another level by making the fake identity far more convincing.

Instead of using random stolen photos, con artists can now:

• Generate AI-created faces that look real
• Produce videos of themselves “speaking”
• Use AI voice cloning to sound consistent on calls
• Hide their real face during video chats using deepfake masking
• Use automated scripts to maintain conversations 24/7

Tools that once required big budgets are now accessible to anyone with a smartphone, and advanced results mean even tech-savvy users can struggle to validate identities.

Military and overseas work scams

Scammers frequently pose as deployed military members, offshore oil workers, international medical workers, or engineers abroad. These personas work well because the lifestyle explains:

• Unavailable video calls
• Limited in-person meetings
• Sudden emergencies
• Unusual hours

Once trust is established, the scam often shifts toward requests for financial help. These military scams work because they tap into empathy. Victims believe they’re helping someone honorable, hardworking, and temporarily stuck.

Sextortion-based romance scams

Some romance scams begin with what feels like harmless flirting, but escalate into pressure to share intimate photos. When scammers threaten exposure to demand money, it’s known as financial sextortion.

Recent guidance from the FBI notes a rise in cases affecting minors, especially young boys—but support exists, and families aren’t alone in navigating this. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to report concerns or incidents through ic3.gov.

Why romance scams are surging in 2026

More people are turning to the internet for connection, while scammers are taking advantage of rapid advances in digital tools. At the same time, our social habits have shifted. People are relying more and more on online communication, and crypto investing has become far more mainstream. 

Together, these changes make a perfect environment for scams to spread quickly and feel more convincing than ever.

More people are dating online

Post-pandemic lifestyle changes, remote work, and social isolation have contributed to record-high dating app usage. Three in ten adults in the U.S. have now used an online dating platform. Scammers know there is a limitless supply of potential victims.

AI makes fake identities convincing

AI has made fake identities look more realistic than ever. Scammers can create faces that seem completely believable but don’t exist anywhere else online. Even video calls (once the strongest form of validation!) can be manipulated with deepfake masking.

Crypto has gone mainstream

More people are investing casually in crypto, making fake investment opportunities harder to spot. Because it’s no longer seen as niche or overly technical, these tricksters can introduce crypto investing without raising immediate suspicion. If someone mentions high returns or a new trading platform, it feels believable (especially if it’s coming from a person you trust).

Social engineering is getting more advanced

Scammers have honed their social engineering techniques to keep victims engaged and build trust. These criminals are often trained in:

• Emotional mirroring
• Behavioral psychology
• Crisis creation
• Empathy simulation
• Long-term grooming tactics

Some operations are run like full-time call centers, making the whole scheme feel polished.

Younger adults are overconfident

Younger adults often assume that because they’re more tech-savvy, these skills make them immune to scams.

But romance scams rely on trust, chemistry, and emotional connection. Emotional manipulation works on everyone, regardless of tech literacy, and sometimes overconfidence can work against victims who may overlook red flags.

How romance scams really work: The psychology behind the scheme

Most romance scams follow a predictable pattern. These con artists rely on momentum and psychological tricks to help make the connection feel real. Understanding and recognizing this playbook is one of the best ways to protect yourself.

1. The introduction

The scammer initiates contact through a dating app, social media DMs, or even a random text message. Instagram^Ⓡ, Tinder^Ⓡ, Facebook^Ⓡ, and TikTok^Ⓡ are common places for these interactions to begin. Early messages tend to be light, warm, and complimentary.

2. Rapid intimacy (love bombing)

The scammer escalates quickly by expressing intense feelings early in the relationship. This stage, often referred to as “love bombing,” is designed to create a fast emotional bond and get you to overlook potential red flags. 

Examples include:

“You feel like my soulmate.”

“I haven’t opened up like this to anyone before.”

“I think we were meant to meet.”

3. Trust and bonding

The scammer will shift into steady, consistent communication. This stage is all about building trust, and they’ll use tactics such as daily check-ins, long messages, or personal confessions. They may discuss:

• Childhood stories
• Hardships
• Past heartbreak
• Big dreams
• Shared values

These carefully curated details are meant to create a sense of connection, or even compatibility.

4. Isolation from friends and family

At this stage, fraudsters will encourage secrecy about the relationship. This is a deliberate tactic to isolate the victim and keep the scammer in control. By creating a bubble around the relationship, the less likely it is for an outsider to come in and spot the red flags.

Persuasive tactics may include:

“They won’t understand our connection.”

“Let’s keep this between us for now.”

Regardless of whether the person on the other side is a charlatan or real, staying connected to your circle helps you keep perspective and spot inconsistencies you might otherwise miss.

5. The financial ask or investment pitch

This is the turning point in most romance scams. By now, the criminal has gained trust, created closeness, isolated the victim, and positioned themselves as someone in need. The request for money may come suddenly, framed as a crisis, or be a slow burn over the course of a few weeks.

Common requests include:

• Emergency money
• Crypto investments
• Travel funds
• “Temporary help” until payday
• Gift cards
• Fees for packages or customs
• Medical bills
• Bank transfers
• Intimate photos

Whatever the reason, the request will be designed to either gain money directly or obtain sensitive information that can be used for future leverage. Once you hit this stage, the scam will escalate quickly so you don’t have time to think about things.

6. Disappearance or re-escalation

After receiving money, some criminals disappear immediately. Others continue the relationship to extract even more. This ongoing cycle can keep victims emotionally entangled for months, making the scam harder to recognize or walk away from. 

Warning signs: How to spot a romance scam before it's too late

These are the most reliable red flags based on real cases in 2024–2026. While one red flag alone may not confirm a scam, several of these together may indicate the pattern of a sophisticated cybercriminal.  

• They avoid video calls entirely, or calls appear glitchy (deepfake masking).
• They pressure you to move to apps that require less identity verification (think WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram).
• They ask for payment methods that are difficult to reverse like crypto, gift cards, or wire transfers.
• They can’t keep details straight, or their personal stories shift over time.
• They claim to be abroad for work or military deployment.
• They create a sense of urgency around emergencies.
• They discourage involving friends or family or promote secrecy.
• They push discussions about money, investing, or crypto.
• They ask for personal information like your address or workplace.
• They get upset or distant if you question anything.

If something feels rushed, overly intense, or inconsistent, take a step back. Trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to question something.

Who romance scammers target—and why

Scammers target emotional vulnerability, not intelligence. Anyone can be manipulated under the right circumstances. In 2022, close to 70,000 people reported being a victim of a romance scam. Almost three-quarters, or 73%, of consumers who had been victimized by a romance scam were men, according to Javelin data.

Certain groups are more likely to be targeted based on their online behavior, stage of life, or emotional circumstances. Knowing which groups are vulnerable can help you gauge your own risk as well as that of loved ones.

Singles 25–45

These users engage heavily on dating apps and are more open to digital communication. They’re also comfortable discussing crypto or online platforms, making them prime candidates for investment grooming.

Seniors re-entering the dating world

In 2023, older adults lost $277 million to romance scams.

Older adults are often more trusting, polite, and open to conversation. Many also place deep value on companionship, especially after losing a partner. 

Divorced adults

Transitions in personal life—like divorce—can create openings for scammers who position themselves as supportive or empathetic.

Where romance scams originate

Romance scams occur globally, with scammers operating from many regions.

 According to Moody’s, 1,193 new entities and individuals with potential ties to romance scams were identified worldwide in 2024—a six-year high and a 14% increase from 2023. 

The pandemic also played a major role in scam growth. The number of romance scam profiles added to Moody’s screening database rose by 57% in 2021, reflecting how scammers took advantage of increased online activity during lockdowns.

The United States accounted for 38% of new romance scam profiles added to Moody’s database in 2024, making it the largest share globally. Nigeria ranked second with 14%, consistent with long-established scam networks in the region. China and Southeast Asia also host organized criminal groups and scam compounds tied to pig-butchering operations.

• United States: Domestic fraud schemes are increasing
• Nigeria: Long-established romance scam networks 
• China and Southeast Asia: Scam compounds specializing in pig-butchering

Geography, however, matters far less today than it once did because scammers can convincingly fake any background using VPNs or spoofed locations. 

As a result, romance scams have become a borderless threat.

How to protect yourself from romance scams

Hearing about romance scams can feel scary, but it doesn’t mean you need to avoid online dating entirely. Safe, healthy relationships still form every day through dating platforms. 

Awareness is one of the best ways you can better protect yourself, and a few smart habits will go a long way while keeping you open to new connections.

Verify early

Arguably one of the most important steps, early verification is one of the most effective ways to avoid getting pulled into a scam. Real people are generally willing to show their faces and share basic details about themselves.

• Ask for a real-time video chat within the first few days.
• Use reverse image search on profile photos.
• Check if their online presence seems too new or too perfect.

Guard personal information

Sharing personal details too soon can give scammers leverage or access to your identity. Keep private information private until trust is truly established. Never share:

• Home address
• Employer or daily schedule
• Banking details
• Verification codes
• Intimate photos
• Copies of IDs

Don’t combine romance and investing

Any mention of crypto, trading platforms, or “easy” passive income is a major red flag—especially if it’s coming from someone you’ve never met. Keep it simple and don’t mix money into your relationships.

Check for inconsistencies

Scammers may struggle to keep their stories straight, especially if they’re scamming multiple victims. 

Take note of inconsistencies. Does their story change from day to day? Are their time zones off? Does their lifestyle make sense for their job? Although seemingly small, these details could tip you off to whether the person on the other side of the phone is lying.

Set financial boundaries

A legitimate partner will not ask you for money, especially not in the early stages of a relationship. Asking for financial help is one of the biggest warning signs of a scam. Be cautious if someone asks for:

• Crypto
• Gift cards
• Wire transfers
• “Short-term help”
• Passwords
• Money for medical or travel emergencies

Protect your accounts

Strengthening the digital security of your accounts can help protect you if someone tries to access your identity or finances. 

Consider:

• Turning on banking alerts
• Enabling multi-factor authentication
• Freezing your credit if something feels off

Trust your gut

So often, people brush aside their instincts because they want to believe a connection is real. But if something feels wrong, it probably is.

What to do if you’re targeted by a romance scammer

Realizing that someone you trusted may be a scammer can feel overwhelming, but taking quick action can help limit damage and protect others.

Stop all communication immediately

Don’t confront the scammer or warn them, as you’ll risk giving them opportunities to manipulate you further. Simply block and disengage.

Save screenshots of messages, profiles, and receipts

It’s important to document everything so that investigators and financial institutions have the information they need to understand what happened. Keep records of usernames, phone numbers, dating profiles, emails, and any suspicious behavior.

Document payments or crypto transfers

Write down dates, amounts sent, wallet addresses, and transaction IDs. Although recovery can’t be guaranteed, detailed records can help strengthen your case.

Contact your bank or card provider

Banks may be able to freeze transactions, reverse charges, or flag accounts for additional protection. The sooner you alert your bank, the better your chances.

File reports with the government and platform

These reports help law enforcement identity patterns, track organized groups, and protect future victims.

• IC3.gov (FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center)
• FTC.gov/complaint
• The dating app where the scam began

Change your passwords and freeze your credit if necessary

If you shared personal information, updating passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, or temporarily freezing your credit can all help prevent further harm to your finances and identity.

Ultimately, even if money can’t be recovered, reporting the scam helps agencies track offenders and protect others from falling for the same schemes. You’re not alone—many people experience similar situations, and taking action is an important first step toward regaining control and moving forward.

How OmniWatch helps you stay safe while dating online

Romance scams are far more common than people realize. In 2023 alone, consumers lost $1.14 billion to romance scams across the 64,003 reports filed. The median loss per person amounted to $2,000, and many cases involved significantly more. Beyond the financial impact, romance scams can compromise identity and take an emotional toll on victims.

OmniWatch Elite scam protection is designed to give you real tools to help you stay safer online. Whether you’re dating, using social media platforms, or meeting new people digitally, OmniWatch offers a layer of protection that strengthens your digital defenses and supports you if something does go wrong.

Scam-loss insurance

Eligible Elite members can receive financial support of up to $25,000 if they fall victim to certain types of scams.¹ This coverage helps soften the financial burden and creates a safety net that traditional banking protections often don’t cover—especially for scams that involve authorized transfers or social engineering.

Identity monitoring

OmniWatch provides continuous identity theft protection by monitoring for signs that someone may be misusing your personal information. You’ll receive alerts if a new account, loan, or credit line is opened in your name.

Dark web monitoring

Scammers often sell or trade stolen information on the dark web. OmniWatch scans marketplaces and forums on the dark web for your sensitive data, including email addresses, passwords, photos, or even your Social Security number. If your data appears somewhere it shouldn’t, you’ll be notified quickly so you can take action.

Real-time credit alerts

If someone attempts to access or misuse your identity, OmniWatch’s credit monitoring service alerts you right away. These real-time notifications can help you detect fraud early and minimize damage.

U.S.-based fraud support

If something goes wrong, you’re not alone. Our 24/7 U.S.-based identity restoration specialists can help you navigate recovery steps and dispute unauthorized activity. Having guidance from real humans during a stressful situation can make all the difference.

Frequently asked questions