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Scam library

Romance and investment scams

An online friend or partner builds trust for weeks, then steers you into a fake investment app.

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How much people are talking about "romance scam" online, measured by LunarCrush. Attention, not a count of victims.

What it looks like

I've really enjoyed talking with you these weeks. My uncle taught me a trading strategy that's done so well. I could show you, just start small.
Look at my profit today on the platform, up 18%. I want us to have a future together. You deserve this too.
Your account shows $86,400 but to withdraw you must pay a 20% tax first. Please deposit within 48 hours to avoid freezing.

How it works

Someone you met online, through a dating app, social media or a 'wrong number' text, chats daily and becomes a close friend or partner. They never meet in person or video chat for long. Then they introduce a crypto or trading app that shows big fake gains, so you invest more. When you try to withdraw, they demand fees or taxes, and the money is gone.

Warning signs

  • You have never met in person, and there is always a reason they cannot
  • They bring up investing, crypto or a special trading platform
  • The app shows huge gains but withdrawals need a fee or tax first
  • They ask you to keep it secret from family
  • They move the chat to WhatsApp, Telegram or another private app quickly
If you got one of these
  1. Stop sending money. Do not pay any withdrawal fee or tax. It will not release your funds.
  2. Search the platform's name with the word scam, and check it is registered with regulators.
  3. Talk to someone you trust and show them the messages.
  4. Do a reverse image search on their photos.
If you already paid or shared something
  1. Report it to ic3.gov and reportfraud.ftc.gov with every wallet address, app name and message you have.
  2. Call your bank fraud line and the crypto exchange you used.
  3. Anyone who offers to recover your money for a fee is running a second scam.
  4. Keep all messages. Losses can be hard to talk about. You are not alone, and it is not your fault.

Who gets targeted

People who are widowed, divorced or lonely, and also busy professionals. Smart, successful people lose the most.

Also read: Is this online relationship or crypto investment a scam?

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