What is a Love Scam?

A love scam (also called a romance scam) happens when a scammer tricks someone into a fake online relationship to gain their trust and eventually steal money. These scammers often pretend to be attractive, successful, and loving individuals but their true goal is financial gain.

How to spot a Love Scam? (Common Warning Signs)

  1. They profess love very quickly, even before meeting you in person.
  2. They avoid video calls or meeting in real life, giving excuses like working overseas.
  3. They claim to face an emergency and ask you to send money to help them.
  4. They pressure you to keep the relationship a secret from friends or family.
  5. Their stories sound dramatic or unbelievable, often involving medical issues, accidents, or legal trouble.
  6. They may ask for personal or banking details to “receive a package” or “transfer funds.”

How to prevent Love Scam?

  1. Be cautious when someone online confesses love too quickly.
  2. Never send money to someone you’ve never met in person.
  3. Do a background check by reverse-searching their photo or checking for reused profiles.
  4. Talk to someone you trust before making any big decisions in the relationship.
  5. Report suspicious profiles to the platform you’re using (Facebook, Instagram, dating applications).

Example of Love Scam Scenario:

Nina met a man on Facebook who claimed to be a foreign engineer working overseas. He was kind, romantic, and said he wanted to marry her. After weeks of chatting, he said he wanted to send her a gift package containing cash and jewelry. Then, she received a call from someone claiming to be a customs officer, asking her to pay RM3,000 for “custom clearance.” Wanting to help her online partner, Nina paid. Days later, the man disappeared. There was no gift, no package and no way to get her money back.

What Went Wrong:

  1. Nina believed someone she had never met in person.
  2. She didn’t verify the identity of the “customs officer.”
  3. She acted based on emotion, without checking with family or friends.

Lesson Learned:

  • Always be careful when forming online relationships.
  • If someone asks for money, no matter how touching the story is, it’s a red flag.
  • Never send money to someone you haven’t met in real life. Love is built on trust, not secrets or money requests.