US & Canada
US Embassy in Switzerland and Liechtenstein
Scammers take advantage of people looking for romantic partners, often through dating websites, apps or social media, by pretending to be potential companions. They play on emotional triggers to get you to provide money, gifts, or personal information.
For more information on how to report, see the links below.
Tips to Avoid Romance Scams:
- Be careful what you post and post online. Scammers can use details shared on social media and dating sites to better understand and target you.
- Search the person’s photo and profile using online searches to determine if the picture, name, or details have been used elsewhere.
- Go slowly and ask lots of questions.
- Beware if the person seems too perfect or is quick to ask you to leave a dating service or social media site to communicate directly.
- Be careful if the person tries to isolate you from friends and family, or requests inappropriate photos or financial information that could later be used to blackmail you.
- Beware if the person promises to meet in person but then always finds an excuse why he or she can’t. If, for whatever reason, you haven’t met the person after a few months, you have every reason to be suspicious.
- Never send money to anyone with whom you have only communicated online or over the phone.
