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.
Who else has noticed this?
The "move to WhatsApp immediately" move is because dating apps can monitor and flag suspicious conversations. Off-platform means no safety net.