HARTFORD — The Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) is warning the public about romance scammers ahead of Valentine’s Day, when many people might be meeting someone new in person or online. Romance Scammers use deceptive tactics to intentionally steal your heart. Then they take your money.
A romance scam starts when an individual contacts another user on a dating website, app, or social media platform. The pair begin to communicate online but the scammer is unable able to meet in person, claiming there is a distance, work, health or financial issue. Sometimes a scammer will get to know you for weeks, months or even years before they strike, using that time to build trust through their digital relationship with you. Once they feel they have you on the hook, the scammer will ask for money to help resolve their issue, often for travel expenses.
In one complaint reported to DCP, a consumer exchanged emails with a user who claimed to live in Russia. The scammer claimed they were unable to afford a travel visa to meet in person and asked for financial help. They requested a $1,400 payment through wire transfer, which the victim paid. The scammer then requested an additional $2,570 cash payment, claiming it was required when leaving the country, but the victim did not pay the second sum, realizing the signs of a scam.
"Romance scams are devastating and deceitful. During a trust-building process, scammers will manipulate and take advantage of your vulnerability,” said DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli. “More often than not, if something feels off, trust your instinct. If you feel uncomfortable sending money to someone you have not met in person yet, no matter how long you’ve been communicating with them, don’t feel pressured to do so. Take a moment, think on it, and ask a trusted friend or family member for their opinion.”
“Tons of people are turning to apps to meet people right now, and that’s great. But it’s important to stay vigilant. Thousands of people each year lose their life savings to online romance scams. Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut and reach out for help,” said Attorney General William Tong.
Three warning signs of a romance scam:
- They cannot meet in person: The user will say they live outside of the country, often claiming they are in the military, or work for an international organization.
- They ask for financial help: Once you’ve built an online relationship, often over weeks or months, they ask for help with medical, travel, or legal expenses. The scammer will tell a false unfortunate situation, a manipulate tactic to get victims to pay with their emotions.
- They ask for a specific payment method: They will use a method that is hard to return such as wire transfer, gift cards, peer-to-peer app, or cryptocurrency.
- If you paid a romance scammer through one of these methods, contact the company or bank right way, tell them what happened and ask for a refund.
If you believe you were scammed during a romance scam, report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission.
To file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, visit: ic3.gov
Be sure to report the scammer’s profile to the dating or social media app by visiting the customer support section under “Settings.”
Learn more about romance scams and how to report them at CT.gov/DCP.