How to Spot a Romance Scam Before It Costs You Anything

By the Avero team · 26 September 2026 · 6 min read

Romance scams work because they don't look like scams at first. They look like attention, warmth and a connection that feels unusually strong. By the time money is mentioned, the victim often already cares about the person on the other side. Knowing the pattern in advance is the best protection there is.

The usual script

Fast intensity. Compliments, daily messages and talk of a future together within days.
A reason they can't meet. They work abroad, on a ship, in the army, on an oil platform, or in a job with "no signal".
Moving the chat elsewhere. They quickly ask to continue on another app, away from the platform where you met.
A crisis. A medical bill, a customs fee, a frozen bank account, a plane ticket to finally visit you.
A request. Money, gift cards, crypto, or help "receiving a transfer" on their behalf.

Not every scam follows every step, but almost all of them end at number five.

Warning signs to watch for

They avoid video calls, or the camera is always "broken".
Their photos look like a model's portfolio, or appear under other names when you search them.
Their story has small contradictions — age, city, job details that shift.
They talk about investments or crypto and offer to teach you how to earn.
They ask you to keep the relationship secret from friends and family.
Every conversation slowly steers toward money, even if they never ask directly at first.

The one rule that stops almost every scam

Never send money, gift cards, crypto or bank details to someone you have not met in person — no matter how real the relationship feels or how urgent the story sounds. A person who truly cares about you will understand this boundary. A scammer will push against it, and that push is your answer.

Check before you trust

Do a reverse image search of their photos.
Ask for a short video call at a time you choose.
Tell a friend the story and listen to their honest reaction. Scams are much easier to see from the outside.

If you think you're talking to a scammer

Stop replying. You don't need to explain or argue.
Report and block the account. On Avero, long-press or click a message and choose Report; asking for money, investments, crypto or "gifts" is against our community guidelines.
If you already sent money, contact your bank immediately and report it to the police. Acting quickly can sometimes stop or recover a payment.
Be kind to yourself. Scammers are professionals, and falling for one says nothing about your intelligence.

Real connections are patient. They don't need your savings, and they don't disappear when you ask to see a face on camera.