Romance Scam Review: Preserve Evidence and Check Claims

Reviewed September 30, 2026.

Start With The Conduct, Not A Face Score

A concerning online relationship may involve stolen images, invented details, or synthetic media. An unfamiliar photograph or unusual writing style does not establish a scam. Focus on verifiable inconsistencies and requests involving money, credentials, or pressure to act quickly.

The FTC's romance-scam guidance recommends avoiding payments to an online love interest you have not met, checking their story, and reporting suspected scams. If money has already been sent, contact the payment provider promptly about available options; recovery is not guaranteed.

Preserve What You Already Have

Retain relevant profile URLs, dates, messages you received, and payment requests in a secure place. Distinguish what the person said from what you verified. Avoid publishing accusations or unnecessary personal information.

Do not send tracking links, provoke engagement, or attempt to access an account to test a suspicion. An IP address, phone service type, or time-zone pattern would not resolve identity or intent on its own.

Check Public Clues Carefully

Reverse image search can reveal reuse, but a result may be a legitimate repost or a copied profile. No result does not establish authenticity or prove that the image is AI-generated. Compare available public details independently and record alternative explanations.

For a structured first pass, use verifying someone you met online. If the question needs broader corroboration, discuss the permitted scope through Verify Identity or Deep Search.

Choose A Proportionate Response

Preserve the evidence before blocking or reporting through the platform's normal controls when safe to do so. A source-bound review can organize findings and uncertainty; it cannot guarantee attribution, financial recovery, or a safe outcome from further contact.