Isolation Tactic
A deliberate strategy used by romance scammers to separate victims from friends and family who might challenge the relationship or identify warning signs.
Also known as: social isolation tactic, relationship isolation, cutting off support networks
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Isolation is both a tactic and an outcome of successful romance fraud grooming. Scammers encourage victims to treat the relationship as special and private, framing family concern as jealousy, ignorance, or an intrusion. They may suggest that disclosing the relationship would jinx it, that outsiders cannot understand what the two of them share, or that the victim's loved ones are not supportive of their happiness.
As the victim's primary emotional support shifts entirely to the scammer, the scammer gains greater control. Decisions — especially financial ones — are made in the context of the scammer's framing and without the moderating influence of trusted people. By the time family or friends raise alarms, the victim may have been conditioned to dismiss their concerns.
Maintaining connections with friends and family throughout any new online relationship is a protective factor. The willingness to share a new relationship with trusted people in one's life is a healthy norm; a new contact who discourages this should be viewed with scepticism.
Examples
- A scammer tells a victim their sister is jealous and toxic, and that talking to her about the relationship will only cause problems for them both.
- An online partner expresses hurt whenever the victim mentions a friend's concern, conditioning the victim to stop discussing the relationship with others.