Have You Heard of a Romance Attack?

The Rundown…

A romance attack is a type of online scam in which criminals exploit emotional connections, pretending to fall in love to gain trust and ultimately money or sensitive information. This form of cybercrime has existed since the early days of the internet but has become increasingly sophisticated with the rise of dating apps and social media.

These scams are not limited to a single gender, age group, or country. Anyone seeking love online can be a target. Scammers create fake personas, lure victims into emotional relationships, and manipulate them over weeks or months before requesting money under false pretenses.

How Romance Attacks Work

• Showering the victim (love bombing) with affection quickly.

• Pretending to share the same interests, values, and life goals.

• Making the victim feel guilty or paranoid for asking questions.

• Builds trust and dependency…

Phases of a Romance Attack

• Initiation —> A seemingly innocent “hello” on a dating app or social media.

• Connection —> Regular messages, romantic gestures, and deep conversations.

• Excuses —> Reasons for not meeting in person often working overseas, military deployment, etc.

• Crisis Request —> A sudden emergency, such as medical bills, travel costs, or a frozen bank account.

• Continued Manipulation —> Additional requests for money or private information.