A love scam, also known as a romance scam, starts with something that looks like a genuine emotional connection.
Someone reaches out online, often through social media or a dating platform, and begins building a relationship. At first, everything seems real. The conversations are friendly, supportive, and sometimes even affectionate.
However, the person behind the profile is not who they claim to be. The identity is fake, and the relationship is carefully planned. The goal is to gain trust and create emotional attachment.
Once that trust is established, the scammer introduces a problem, often urgent or emotional, and asks for money or personal information.
What makes love scams particularly dangerous is that they are not just about money. They involve emotions, trust, and human connection, which makes them harder to recognise and more harmful for victims.