Romance scams often target people on dating apps or social media, pretending to form a close relationship before asking for money. Here are some common examples of romance scams and sample conversations to help you recognize and avoid these tactics.
1. Requests to Move to Messaging Apps
Scammers often start on a dating app or website, then quickly ask to switch to an app like KakaoTalk or LINE, where they start asking for personal details.
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Example conversation:
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Scammer: "It’s hard to chat here. Can we switch to KakaoTalk? That way, we can talk more easily."
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Victim: "Sure, my ID is [ID]."
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Scammer: "Thanks! I’m so excited to get to know you better. Could you send a few photos? And where do you live, by the way? When’s your birthday?"
Caution: Before sharing your messaging ID, make sure you trust the person. Avoid sharing personal details like photos, addresses, or birth dates unless you’re certain they’re genuine.
2. Shipping Fee Scam
Scammers might say they’ve bought a “gift” for you and need you to cover the shipping fee or taxes. Asking you to pay shipping for a gift is almost always a scam.
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Example conversation:
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Scammer: "I got you a small gift! The delivery company needs a $100 shipping fee. Could you help me with that? I’ll pay you back once it arrives."
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Victim: "Thank you, that’s really nice of you! But should I really be covering the shipping?"
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Scammer: "It’s just a small favor. You know how much you mean to me."
Caution: A genuine gift sender would cover all shipping costs. If someone asks you to pay for shipping or taxes, it’s likely a scam.
3. Various Money Requests
Scammers come up with many ways to ask for money, from “emergencies” to needing a “small fee” to access their own funds.
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Example 1:
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Scammer: "I’m in an emergency. I need $200 for a withdrawal fee. Can you help me out?"
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Victim: "Why do you need it suddenly? Let me know if there’s another way I can help."
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Scammer: "You're the only one I trust. Just help me this once, and I’ll pay you back right away."
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Example 2:
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Scammer: "My parent is very sick, and the medical bills are piling up. You mean so much to me, so I know I can count on you."
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Victim: "I’m sorry to hear that… but borrowing money is serious."
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Scammer: "I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t urgent. Please understand, I trust you."
Caution: No matter how convincing their story sounds, do not send money. Romance scammers often use emotional stories to pressure you for financial support.
How to Report a Scammer
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DaTalk takes dating scams seriously. If you believe you’ve encountered a scammer, please report it to help keep DaTalk safe for everyone.
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In the chat, tap the [⋮] icon and select Report.
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Choose Romance Scam as the reason for reporting.
False reports can interfere with monitoring efforts. Please help keep DaTalk safe by avoiding false reports.
Additional Tips
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Video Call Refusals: Scammers often refuse video calls, dodging direct confirmation of their identity.
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Rushed Declarations of Love: Be wary of anyone who quickly expresses deep feelings or starts asking for financial help.
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Constant Excuses: Stories like “money got stuck at the airport” or “I need help while traveling” are common scam tactics.
If a request feels suspicious, pause and seek advice from others.
Prevention Guide
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When making new friends, keep in mind that there may be hidden motives. Approach conversations with friendliness and honesty, but protect your personal information, as DaTalk allows for anonymous interactions.
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Exercise caution with romantic, financial, or investment discussions, as well as any offline meet-ups.