Romance scam checker
Romance scams (including the pig-butchering pattern that ends in fake crypto investing) are the highest-loss fraud category reported to GACS. The signals are predictable: a fast-moving emotional bond, refusal to meet or video call, and an eventual money or investment ask. Run every red flag against this checklist before you send a single dollar.
Treat the person as a romance scammer if they refuse a live, unscripted video call, the relationship moved very fast, the photos reverse-image search to someone else, conversation moves quickly to WhatsApp or Telegram, and any money, gift card, crypto, investment platform, or 'help with my account' is mentioned — even once.
Step-by-step check
- 1
Reverse-image search every profile photo
Save each photo and run it through Google Images and TinEye. Scammers reuse stolen photos of models, soldiers, doctors, and oil-rig workers. A photo that appears on dozens of unrelated profiles is conclusive.
- 2
Demand a live, unscripted video call
Ask for a live video call on a normal app (FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom) and ask them to wave on camera or touch their nose. Romance scammers refuse, claim broken cameras, blame work, or send pre-recorded clips.
- 3
Check how fast the relationship escalated
Scammers say 'I love you', talk about marriage, or share long life stories within days. Real romantic interest builds over weeks or months.
- 4
Watch for the platform jump
If they push you off the dating app, Instagram, or Facebook onto WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal within a few messages, treat it as a scam pattern. Scammers move you to encrypted apps so the platform cannot warn or ban them.
- 5
Listen for the money script
Any mention of a hospital bill, customs fee, travel emergency, surprise tax, locked inheritance, frozen wallet, hot crypto tip, investing app, or 'just help me move money' is a scam — 100% of the time.
- 6
Check the writing style for AI / script reuse
Paste a few messages into a search engine. Romance scammers reuse stock scripts that appear verbatim on other reports. Sudden grammar shifts between messages also indicate multiple scammers sharing one account.
- 7
Run their handle, phone, and wallet through GACS
Paste the profile URL into the GACS social scan and any phone number or crypto wallet into the GACS scam database. A previous report is final proof.
- 8
Talk to one trusted person before sending anything
Romance scammers tell you to keep the relationship secret because secrecy is what makes the scam work. Telling one friend, family member, or your bank breaks the spell every time.
Red flags
- Refuses live video, or only sends pre-recorded clips.
- Says 'I love you' within days, talks marriage or moving in within weeks.
- Moves the chat to WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal early.
- Mentions a crypto investment, trading platform, or 'inside tip'.
- Asks for any money for any reason — even small amounts, even 'just a loan'.
- Photos reverse-search to a different name, a model, or a real public figure.
What to do next
- ✓Stop sending money immediately — every additional dollar is a sunk cost, not an investment.
- ✓Screenshot the profile, every message, every wallet address, every platform name, and every photo before they vanish.
- ✓Report to GACS, your bank, and the national fraud line (IC3 in the US, CAFC in Canada, Action Fraud in the UK).
FAQ
What is pig butchering and how is it different?
Pig butchering is a romance scam that ends in fake crypto investing. The scammer spends weeks 'fattening' you with affection, then introduces a fake trading app showing impressive fake returns. You can withdraw the first small amount to build trust, then larger deposits get locked behind 'taxes' and 'fees'. The pattern always ends with total loss.
Can I recover money I already sent?
Sometimes. Wire transfers and bank sends can occasionally be reversed in the first 24-72 hours. Crypto sent to a scammer wallet is almost always permanently lost — and any 'recovery service' that contacts you afterwards is itself a scam. Report to your bank and to GACS immediately.
What if the person sends a real-looking video?
Pre-recorded videos and AI deepfakes are now common in romance scams. The test is a live, unscripted action: ask them to wave, touch their nose, or hold up a specific number of fingers. A real person does it; a scammer refuses or buffers.
Is it always a scam if they ask for money?
Yes. Real online relationships do not require you to send money, buy gift cards, fund crypto wallets, or 'help move' funds. Treat the first ask as final proof and stop sending immediately.