Romance Scams That Collect Payments via Interac E-Transfer
Romance scammers targeting Canadian victims frequently request Interac e-transfer payments for fabricated emergencies, exploiting the payment method's dominance in Canadian peer-to-peer transactions and its lack of chargeback protection once funds are accepted.
Part of: Fake Online Partners
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Interac e-transfer is Canada's ubiquitous peer-to-peer payment standard — a household name for everyday Canadian financial interactions. Romance scammers operating in Canada target this familiarity: requesting e-transfer payments feels as natural as helping a friend, whereas a wire transfer or cryptocurrency purchase would raise alarm.
Once an e-transfer is accepted by the recipient, the funds cannot be recovered by Interac. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) lists romance scams as a consistently high-loss category, with e-transfer being a primary payment method for the initial requests before amounts escalate to larger wire transfers.
How this scam works on Interac e-Transfer
After weeks of building an online relationship, a scammer presents a crisis requiring money — a sudden medical bill, a tax payment to clear customs, flights home, or a business cash flow problem. The request is for a modest e-transfer: $500 to $2,000 — small enough not to raise immediate alarm and framed as a short-term loan.
Repayment is promised and sometimes a small amount is returned to build trust for a larger ask. Follow-up requests escalate in size, sometimes involving multiple transfers across weeks or months. Some victims transfer their life savings in multiple e-transfers before recognising the pattern.
Some scammers specifically request e-transfer to a recipient they name as a 'family member' or 'business partner' who will forward the funds — adding distance between the victim and the scammer and reducing the chance the fraud is detected before funds are moved.
Common red flags
- Online romantic partner who has never met in person but requests an e-transfer for an urgent situation
- E-transfer request to a third party described as a family member, lawyer, or business partner
- Repayment promise that is always delayed by a new problem requiring more money
- Partner who has consistent financial emergencies requiring immediate e-transfer each time
- Relationship that developed entirely through text and pre-recorded video, with no spontaneous live calls
How to protect yourself
- Never send an Interac e-transfer to someone you have not met in person, regardless of emotional connection
- Understand that e-transfers cannot be reversed once accepted — treat each transfer as permanent
- Request a live, spontaneous video call before any financial request is entertained
- Discuss the request with a trusted friend or family member before sending any money
- Report romance scam approaches to the CAFC at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
How to report it
- Report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or 1-888-495-8501
- File a report with local police
- Contact your bank immediately if you suspect a transaction was fraudulent
Frequently asked questions
Why do romance scammers targeting Canadians specifically ask for Interac e-Transfers?
Interac e-Transfer is the dominant peer-to-peer payment method in Canada, so requesting it feels normal rather than alarming, unlike a wire transfer or crypto request. Once an e-Transfer is accepted by the recipient, it typically can't be reversed or charged back, which is exactly why scammers prefer it for fabricated emergencies.
Can my bank reverse an Interac e-Transfer I sent to a romance scammer?
If the transfer hasn't been deposited/accepted yet, contact your bank immediately — there may be a brief window to cancel it. Once accepted, reversal is very unlikely since e-Transfers are designed to be final. Whether anything can be recovered may depend on the payment method and timing — your bank can confirm the status.
What should I do first if I've been sending e-Transfers to someone I've never met in person?
Stop sending further money immediately, regardless of the urgency of their story. Report the situation to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and your bank, and preserve all chat logs and transfer records. A partner who consistently has emergencies but never video calls or meets is very likely not who they claim to be.
Can an Interac e-transfer be reversed if it was sent to a scammer?
Once an e-transfer is accepted by the recipient, Interac cannot reverse the transaction. If the e-transfer is still in a pending state (not yet accepted), contact your bank immediately — they may be able to cancel it before acceptance. Always report to your bank quickly if you suspect fraud.
Sources for this guide are listed on the Fake Online Partners page (4 sources).