Reverse Romance Scam

In a reverse romance scam, criminals contact a victim while pretending to be fellow scammers offering a collaborative opportunity — typically a romantic deception targeting a wealthy third party. The victim is recruited as a supposed accomplice and instructed to open bank accounts, receive funds, or perform tasks that are presented as part of the shared scheme.

In reality, the 'third party target' is either fictional or another unwitting victim; the person being defrauded is the recruit themselves. Funds they receive and transfer are stolen money being laundered through them, exposing them to criminal liability. Fees, commissions, and deposits they pay go directly to the fraudsters.

Reverse romance scams are designed so that victims feel they cannot report the fraud because they believe they were willing participants in criminal activity. This shame and fear of prosecution makes the reverse romance scam particularly cruel and difficult for victims to disclose.