Romance Scam Checker
Think you might be talking to a romance scammer? You're smart to be cautious. Romance scams cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2024 — more than any other fraud category reported to the FTC. The average victim loses $9,000 before realizing the relationship was fake.
Scamometer is a free AI scam detector. Paste any message from a dating app, email, WhatsApp, or social media — our AI analyzes the language patterns, psychological manipulation tactics, and known scam templates to give you an instant scam probability score.
Check Any Message Instantly
Paste a message from your dating app, email, or WhatsApp conversation. Get a scam probability score in seconds.
Check a Message Now — Free8 Red Flags of a Romance Scam
Love Bombing
They declare love within days or weeks. Real relationships develop gradually — scammers rush emotional attachment to exploit you faster.
Can't Meet in Person
Always an excuse — military deployment, offshore oil rig, international business trip. They'll video chat with a blurry camera or refuse entirely.
Money Requests
Medical emergencies, stranded abroad, investment opportunities, customs fees. Once money flows one way, the requests never stop.
Moves Off Platform Quickly
They push to WhatsApp, Telegram, or email fast — dating platforms can detect and ban scammers, private messaging can't.
Too-Perfect Photos
Model-quality photos, stolen from Instagram or stock sites. Reverse image search on Google or TinEye often reveals the real person.
Inconsistent Stories
Details don't add up — their job, location, family backstory shifts. Scammers juggle multiple victims and forget which lies they told whom.
Crypto/Gift Card Payments
They ask for Bitcoin, gift cards, or wire transfers — untraceable payment methods. No legitimate partner asks for iTunes cards.
Urgency & Crises
Sudden emergencies requiring immediate money. The hospital bill, the stuck shipment, the arrested family member — always right before you were about to meet.
Which Platforms Are Most Dangerous?
Tinder
HIGHMost-reported dating app for romance scams. Scammers create attractive profiles and move to WhatsApp quickly.
Facebook/Instagram
VERY HIGH40% of romance scams start on Meta platforms. Friend requests from attractive strangers are the #1 vector.
Hinge/Bumble
MEDIUMBetter verification than Tinder, but scammers still get through. Watch for profiles that seem too polished.
WhatsApp/Telegram
HIGHNot dating apps, but where scammers move conversations for privacy. "Wrong number" texts are a common opener.
Professional romance scams targeting lonely professionals. "I noticed your profile" → investment scam hybrid.
Already Sent Money? Here's What to Do
- Stop all communication — block them on every platform immediately.
- Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- Report to the FBI's IC3 at ic3.gov — they track international romance fraud rings.
- Contact your bank immediately — some wire transfers can be recalled within 24-72 hours.
- Report on the dating platform — helps them ban the scammer and protect others.
- Talk to someone you trust — romance scams cause real emotional trauma. RAINN: 1-800-656-4673.
How Scamometer Detects Romance Scams
Pattern Recognition
AI trained on thousands of documented romance scam conversations from FBI & FTC databases.
Language Analysis
Detects love bombing, urgency tactics, and manipulation language patterns common in romance fraud.
Scam Score 0-100
Clear probability score with specific red flags explained, so you can make an informed decision.
Trust Your Gut — Then Verify
If something feels off, it probably is. Scan their messages in 10 seconds.
Check If It's a Romance Scam →Scamometer uses AI pattern analysis and is not a substitute for professional advice. If you're in danger, contact local law enforcement.
Home · Is This a Scam? · Phishing Checker · Text Scam Checker · Pro