The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported $1.3 billion in romance fraud losses in 2023, making it one of the top internet crimes. DFW is a major target area due to population density and wealth.
How the scam works:
- Match with an attractive profile (often stolen photos)
- Move to WhatsApp or Telegram quickly (off-platform = harder to report)
- Build emotional connection over days or weeks
- Financial request: medical emergency, business investment, crypto "opportunity," or travel costs to meet you
- Money sent via wire, crypto, or gift cards = unrecoverable
Red flags:
- Won't video chat (or only briefly with poor quality)
- Claims to be military deployed overseas, oil rig worker, or traveling doctor
- Perfect photos but profile is only a few days old
- Love-bombs aggressively in the first week
- Asks you to move to WhatsApp/Telegram/Signal immediately
- Any request for money, period
How to verify:
- Reverse image search their photos (Google Images, TinEye)
- Ask for a video call early. Non-negotiable.
- Search their claimed profession + location for consistency
If you've been scammed:
- Report to FBI IC3: ic3.gov
- Report to FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Report to the dating platform
- Contact your bank immediately (some transfers can be recalled within 24 hours)
RECEIPTS REQUIRED: If sharing a dating scam story, include screenshots of conversations (blur your personal info) and describe the tactics used. This helps others recognize the patterns.
Sources:
- FBI IC3 — 2023 Internet Crime Report (romance fraud section)
- FTC — romance scam data and reporting
- AARP — romance scam warning signs
Nobody you've never met in person needs your money.