Romance scams
What are the warning signs of a romance scam?
Romance scams involve fraudsters creating fake identities to form online relationships and emotional connections, often through dating apps. Romance scams can lead to significant financial loss and emotional harm. Remain alert to the warning signs.
Watch for fast emotional attachment, requests to move off dating apps, ongoing excuses to avoid meeting and any mention of money or investments. On this page, you'll learn how to spot romance scams, protect your money and personal information, and report it if you get caught out. If you think you’ve been scammed, contact your bank immediately and report the incident to your local Garda station.
How the scammers work
Scammers often spend time building trust and forming a connection with you. They usually come on strong and talk about meeting in person, but there is always an excuse, such as living abroad or having a job that keeps them away. They’ll use this as their reason to delay meeting you in person so they can continue to manipulate you online.
Their dating profile and photos are fake or belong to someone else. Once they have your trust, the scammer comes up with a reason for needing money – concocting a convincing story. They will then ask you to send money to help out.
How to check if a photo is genuine
If you’re unsure about someone’s profile photo, you can use Google Images to do a reverse image search. Click the camera icon in the Google search bar, upload the photo and find out if it appears elsewhere online. This can help you spot fake profiles or images used in scams.
Is it legal and ethical to use reverse image search?
Yes, it is legal and ethical to use Google Images to check if a profile photo is genuine, as long as you use the results responsibly. Reverse image search simply compares the photo to publicly available images online.
It is widely recommended for personal safety and fraud prevention, especially in online dating. However, do not misuse or share any images you find and always respect privacy and copyright.
AI photos and videos
Romance scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to create fake photos and videos that look authentic. These can include realistic profile pictures, altered images and short video clips designed to convince you the person is real. In some cases, AI is used to animate still photos, copy voices or mimic facial movements, making scams harder to detect.
Be cautious if someone avoids real‑time video calls, appears unusually polished, or shares images or videos that seem inconsistent. Even if a photo or video looks convincing, it does not prove that the person is genuine or trustworthy.
The red flags of romance scams
Dos and don'ts
Do:
- Be careful what you share online – scammers can use your information
- If you suspect a scam, report it to the Gardaí
- Go slowly with any new online romance and ask lots of questions
- Research the person’s profile and photo using online searches
- Watch out for any mention of money or investments
- Tell friends or family about your online relationship
- Trust your instinct – if something feels wrong, it probably is
Don't:
- Assume the person is who they say they are
- Share too much personal information on your dating profile
- Send intimate pictures to people you don’t know online – scammers can blackmail you
- Provide copies of personal documents such as your passport
- Send money or information to someone you’ve only met online
What should you do if you think you’ve been scammed?
If you have given someone your bank or card details, or sent them money, contact your bank or financial provider immediately. They can advise you and put a hold on your account. Keep records of all messages and transactions to assist with any investigation. You should also alert your local Garda station.
