Love or Lies? Recognizing Romance Scams

Relationship Scams, like romance scams, are highlighted for this first week of Fraud Prevention Month.

A romance scam is a confidence scheme where a criminal gains a victim’s trust and affection to carry on an online relationship, usually though fake social media profiles and dating sites. Eventually, they will create a reason for money to be sent or invested.

Recognize

Some red flags to help you detect a romance scam:

• They quickly profess their love for you
• They lure you off a dating site to private modes of communication
• They always have an excuse not to meet in person
• Claims to live close by but is working overseas
• Discourages you from mentioning them to anyone
• Play on your emotions and creates an urgent reason they need money to be sent
• Offers to “coach” you on crypto investing or other quick investment opportunities
• Asks you to receive money for them (by doing so you might unknowingly be committing a crime)

Reject

Remember, it’s ok to say “NO” and disengage from further contact.

To protect yourself:

• Don’t give out your personal information (name, address, DOB, SIN, banking credentials)
• Don’t accept friend requests from people you do not know
• Don’t invest your money in platforms provided by people you don’t know
• Never send money to someone you haven’t met
• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on your accounts
• Beware of fraudsters asking you to open and fund new crypto accounts, they will direct you to send it to wallets they control (DON’T!)

Report

While people who have fallen victim to a romance scam often feel embarrassed and do not wish to come forward, it’s very important to report when a romance scam has been encountered. Even if nothing can be done immediately, you may help someone in the future from being victimized.

• If you have NOT suffered a loss, report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
• If you have suffered a loss, report to the Lethbridge Police Service and your financial institution

More resources:

• Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
• Frauds and Scams webpage - Lethbridge Police
• Online Safety Toolkit - Building Safer Communities partnership with the City of Lethbridge