Romance Scams in the United States
How romance fraud affects US residents — from dating app contact through cryptocurrency demands — with US-specific reporting routes through the FTC and FBI IC3.
Part of: Fake Online Partners
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Romance scams are among the highest-loss fraud categories in the United States, with the FTC and FBI consistently reporting hundreds of millions of dollars in annual losses. Victims span all ages, genders, and backgrounds, though the FTC notes that people aged 55 and over report the highest individual losses. The scams are typically operated from overseas and use a combination of scripted relationship-building and financial manipulation.
This guide covers how romance fraud specifically plays out for US residents — the most common contact channels, the payment methods demanded, and the correct reporting routes including both the FTC and the FBI IC3, which serve different functions in addressing this crime.
How this scam works on the United States
In the United States, romance scam contact most commonly begins on dating apps (Hinge, Bumble, Match, Tinder), on social media (Facebook, Instagram), or through an unexpected text or direct message. The scammer presents as a US citizen — typically claiming a profession that explains frequent travel or remote living, such as military service, offshore oil work, or international business.
Conversations move quickly to messaging apps to establish a private channel. The relationship is developed through daily messages, expressions of affection, and increasingly personal disclosures designed to create emotional investment. Over weeks or months, a financial crisis or investment opportunity emerges.
US victims are commonly asked to send money via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. In pig-butchering variants, the request is framed as a shared investment opportunity rather than a direct ask for money. The FTC and FBI both note that requests involving cryptocurrency are increasingly dominant, as crypto removes the bank-level fraud checks that sometimes intercept wire transfers.
Common red flags
- A dating app or social media contact who claims to be a US citizen but is never available for a spontaneous live video call
- Relationship that becomes intensely close within days or weeks of first contact
- A crisis — medical, legal, or financial — requiring urgent money transfer after emotional investment is established
- Requests for cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or gift cards as the payment method
- A trading or investment platform introduced through a romantic or friendly online contact
- Contact who avoids specific questions about their location, workplace, or daily life
How to protect yourself
- Insist on a spontaneous live video call — not a scheduled one — early in any online relationship
- Reverse-image-search profile photos before investing emotionally or financially
- Never send money, crypto, or gift cards to someone you have not met in person
- Report concerns to the FBI IC3 or FTC before any transfer — early reporting sometimes enables a financial hold
- Talk to a trusted person in your life if an online relationship is developing toward financial requests
How to report it
- File a complaint with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov — the primary federal route for internet-based fraud
- Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov — FTC reports are shared with law enforcement nationwide
- If money was sent, contact your bank, wire transfer service, or crypto exchange immediately
- Report the profile on the platform where contact was made using the platform's built-in report tools
- Contact your state attorney general's consumer protection division for additional local support
Frequently asked questions
Which federal agency handles romance scam cases in the United States?
The FBI investigates internet-enabled fraud, including romance scams, through its Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov. The FTC collects reports at reportfraud.ftc.gov and shares data with law enforcement. Both reports are valuable — they serve complementary functions and neither replaces the other.
Is it possible to recover money sent in a romance scam?
Recovery depends on the payment method and timing. Bank wire transfers reported immediately have a narrow window for recall. Gift cards, once redeemed, are generally unrecoverable. Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible. Regardless of payment method, filing reports with the FBI IC3 creates a record that can support investigations — and in coordinated cases, some funds have been recovered.