Romance scams on dating apps: how they work and how to stop one early
By the Miragano team. Updated
A romance scam is when someone builds a relationship online so they can take your money. The pattern is nearly always the same: lots of attention very quickly, a reason they can never meet or video call, then a problem only money can fix. The simplest protection is one rule: never send money, gift cards, crypto or bank details to someone you haven't met in person. If it's already happened, stop paying, keep the evidence and report it. You are not foolish, and you are not alone.
What is a romance scam?
A romance scam is a fraud dressed up as a relationship. The scammer creates a profile, often with someone else's photos, and spends days or weeks becoming the most attentive match you've ever had. They learn what matters to you. Then, once trust is high, a crisis appears that only you can help with.
Scammers are often organised and skilled. Falling for one says nothing about your intelligence. They are good at what they do, and they deliberately target people who are open, kind and hopeful, which describes most people on dating apps.
How does a romance scam usually unfold?
- The hook. A match that seems almost too good: attractive, attentive and keen.
- The move. A quick push to leave the dating app for a private messaging app, where reporting is harder.
- The bond. Long, daily conversations, early talk of love or a future together, and lots of personal sharing.
- The obstacle. A job abroad, a broken camera or a family emergency means they can never quite meet or video call.
- The ask. A sudden problem: a medical bill, a frozen account, a customs fee, a flight home or an investment opportunity.
- The repeat. If you pay once, a new and more urgent problem tends to follow.
Which warning signs matter most?
No single sign proves a scam, but a few together should stop you in your tracks. Our guide on how to spot a catfish covers fake photos and profiles in detail. For romance scams in particular, watch for:
- Strong declarations of feeling before you have met.
- A reason, every time, why a short video call isn't possible.
- Pressure to keep the relationship secret from friends or family.
- Any request for money, gift cards, crypto, bank details or help receiving a payment.
- Urgency: a deadline, a threat or tears if you hesitate.
How can you protect yourself without becoming cynical?
You don't need to treat every match as a suspect. A few habits filter out nearly all scammers, while genuine people barely notice them:
- Ask for a quick video call early. Real people usually say yes.
- Keep the conversation on the dating app until you've met, so you can report and block easily.
- Aim to meet in person within a reasonable time, in a busy public place.
- Talk it through with a friend. Scams depend on secrecy; a second opinion breaks the spell.
- Treat any money request as the end of the conversation, not the start of a negotiation.
On Miragano every member is photo verified before they appear in Discover, which makes borrowed photos much harder to use. Verification confirms a real person matches their photos. It does not check intentions, so the money rule still applies. See our safety page for what verification does and does not cover.
Where can you get help in the UK and Ireland?
- England, Wales and Northern Ireland: report fraud to Report Fraud, the national reporting service run by the City of London Police, which replaced Action Fraud in December 2025.
- Scotland: report fraud to Police Scotland on 101, the non-emergency number.
- Ireland: report fraud to An Garda Síochána at your local Garda station.
- Anywhere: if you are in immediate danger, call 999 or 112.
Contact your bank first if money has left your account. The sooner they know, the more options they have. You'll find more answers on our FAQ.
What to do if you think you're being romance scammed
Act calmly and quickly. These steps protect your money, your evidence and other people on the app.
- 1
Stop sending money
Don't send anything more, whatever new reason or deadline appears. Don't try to win money back by paying a fee.
- 2
Call your bank
If you've paid, tell your bank or card provider straight away. Use the number on the back of your card, not one the match gave you.
- 3
Save the evidence
Screenshot the profile, the messages and any payment details before you block, so you have a record to report.
- 4
Report and block
Report the profile on the dating app, then block. On Miragano you can report from any chat and block in the same step.
- 5
Report to the police
Use Report Fraud in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Police Scotland on 101, or An Garda Síochána in Ireland.
Questions people ask
What is the biggest sign of a romance scam?
The biggest sign of a romance scam is a request for money from someone you have never met in person. It might be framed as a loan, a medical bill, a customs fee, a plane ticket or an investment that will make you both rich, and it often comes with urgency or emotion. Whatever the story, treat it as a hard stop. Genuine people building a relationship do not ask a new match for money. Pair that with a refusal to video call and you can be confident something is wrong.
Why do romance scammers avoid video calls?
Romance scammers avoid video calls because a call would show they are not the person in the photos. Many use pictures taken from someone else's social media, so a live face would end the story instantly. Expect explanations like a broken camera, poor signal on an oil rig, a military posting or simply being shy. One excuse can be genuine; a pattern of excuses over weeks is not. Asking for a short call early is one of the kindest, quickest tests you can run, and real people usually agree.
I've already sent money. What should I do now?
Stop sending any more, then contact your bank or card provider straight away using the number on your card or their official website. Tell them it was a scam; acting quickly gives them the best chance to help. Save screenshots of the profile, messages and payment details. Report the profile on the dating app and block it. Then report to the police: Report Fraud in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Police Scotland on 101, or An Garda Síochána in Ireland. Be wary of anyone offering to recover your money for a fee.
Can someone be scammed even if they're careful?
Yes, careful and intelligent people are scammed every day. Romance scammers are often organised, patient and practised, and they invest weeks building trust before any request appears. They tailor their stories to the person they are talking to and exploit kindness, loneliness and hope, which are normal human feelings. Being scammed is a crime done to you, not a personal failing. Talking about it with someone you trust, and reporting it, helps protect other people and can help you recover what you can.
Why do scammers want to move off the dating app?
Scammers want to move off the dating app because the app can see reports, review profiles and remove them. On a private messaging app, there is no moderation team watching for fraud, and you lose the easy report and block button. Moving early also makes the relationship feel more personal and exclusive. There is no rush to share your number or social handles. Keep chatting on the app until you have met, and treat strong pressure to switch as a warning sign rather than a compliment.
Does photo verification stop romance scams?
Photo verification makes romance scams much harder but does not stop them on its own. On Miragano, every member takes a live selfie copying a random pose, which is matched to their profile photos, and only verified members appear in Discover. That stops someone using a stranger's photos. It does not check ID documents, legal names, criminal records or intentions, so a verified person can still behave badly. Keep the money rule in place: never send money to someone you have not met in person.
Where do I report a romance scam in the UK?
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, report fraud to Report Fraud, the national reporting service run by the City of London Police. It replaced Action Fraud in December 2025, so older advice may still mention the previous name. In Scotland, report fraud to Police Scotland on 101, the non-emergency number. If you are in immediate danger or a crime is happening now, call 999. Also report the profile on the dating app and tell your bank straight away if any money has left your account.
Where do I report a romance scam in Ireland?
In Ireland, report a romance scam to An Garda Síochána, the national police service, at your local Garda station. If you are in immediate danger, call 999 or 112. Contact your bank as soon as possible if you have sent money or shared account details, because speed matters. Keep screenshots of the profile, messages and any payment records, and report the profile on the dating app so it can be reviewed and removed. Talking to someone you trust can also help you take the next step.
How does Miragano handle scam reports?
On Miragano, you can report any profile from the chat, choosing scam as the reason, and block them in the same step. Blocking is instant, ends the match and hides you both from each other. Reports are reviewed by people on our moderation team. Reporting and blocking are free for every member on every plan, because safety is never a premium feature. Bios and prompts cannot contain phone numbers, emails, social handles or links, which also makes it harder to pull people off the app quickly.
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