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Glossary

Love Bombing

An overwhelming flood of affection, attention, and flattery used early in a relationship to fast-track emotional dependency, often as a precursor to fraud or coercive control.

Also known as: grooming, affection flooding

Last reviewed: 1 June 2026

Love bombing is a manipulation tactic in which a fraudster — or an abusive partner — overwhelms the target with constant contact, lavish compliments, gifts, and declarations of deep connection very early in the relationship. The goal is to create a powerful emotional bond before the target has time to assess the situation rationally.

In the context of fraud, love bombing is the opening phase of romance baiting and pig-butchering scams. By the time the scammer introduces a financial request, the victim has built a strong attachment and may dismiss or rationalise red flags. The manufactured intensity of the relationship also isolates the victim from friends and family who might offer a reality check.

Warning signs include excessive flattery from someone you have just met online, rapid escalation toward exclusivity, and a reluctance to meet in person or video call without excuses. Genuine affection develops at a natural pace; orchestrated manipulation deliberately accelerates it.

Examples

  • A new contact messages dozens of times a day, calls you their 'soulmate' within a week, and insists you are meant to be together.
  • An online 'investor mentor' praises your intelligence daily and offers exclusive tips before steering you toward a fake trading platform.

Sources