❤️ Romance & Relationship Scams

Scammers build trust online, then ask for money, gift cards, crypto, or “investments.”

They often claim emergencies, travel issues, or secret opportunities.

🔗 Trusted Resources

FTC — Romance Scams — Patterns, payment requests, and how to help a loved one.
🌐 https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/romance-scams

FBI — IC3 — Report romance scams and financial loss.
🌐 https://www.ic3.gov/

AARP — Romance Scams — Education and victim support resources.
🌐 https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2019/romance.html

🧭 Recognizing & Responding Safely

Refuse money requests. Love doesn’t require urgent payments.

Keep chats on-platform initially. Scammers push you to private apps to avoid moderation.

Verify identity. Video chat before trust; reverse-image the profile photo if you’re unsure.

If you sent money: Stop further contact, save evidence, report to the platform, your bank, and IC3.

🧠 Sam’s Takes (Quick Reminders)

Promises without meeting = pause.

Urgent, secret, or complicated money requests = no.

Protect your heart and your wallet.