How do I report a romance scam?
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov, and the platform where you met the scammer. Also contact your bank immediately if money was sent.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Romance scams cause deep emotional and financial harm. After a relationship that may have developed over weeks or months, victims often feel shame that can delay reporting. It is important to know that romance scammers are professional criminals running large-scale operations, often from organised call centres. You are not at fault.
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the FBI's IC3 at ic3.gov. Include the profile name, photos the person used (you can do a reverse image search to find where images were taken from), the platform where you connected, and dates and amounts of any money transferred. Also report to the platform itself, whether that is a dating site, Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp. Use the in-app reporting tools and send a detailed email to their support team.
If you sent money, contact your bank or wire transfer service immediately. Funds sent via wire, Zelle, or Venmo are difficult but not always impossible to recall, especially in the first 24 hours. Gift card payments are largely unrecoverable. In the UK, report under the APP fraud category to your bank and to Action Fraud.
Emotional support after a romance scam is as important as financial action. Organisations such as Romance Scam Survivors and Stop Scams UK have peer support communities. Discussing what happened with others who have experienced the same thing helps recovery and reduces isolation. See /scams/romance-relationship-scams for a guide to the patterns used.
Common red flags
- You never met the person despite months of communication
- Every plan to meet in person was cancelled with a new crisis
- The person asked for money or gift cards for an emergency
- They claimed to be working abroad in an unusual profession
- Conversations quickly became intensely romantic despite no real-world contact
- The profile photos appeared in reverse image searches tied to other identities
What to do now
- Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and FBI IC3 at ic3.gov
- Report the profile to the platform and provide the profile URL
- Contact your bank or wire service if money was sent
- Do a reverse image search on the photos you were sent
- Seek emotional support from trusted friends or support communities
- Read /scams/romance-relationship-scams for recovery guidance
Frequently asked questions
Should I confront the scammer when I report them?
No. Confronting the scammer may cause them to delete evidence, block you before you can gather more information, or escalate to threats. Stop contact and report instead.
Can I get the money back if I sent it to a romance scammer?
Recovery is possible if you act quickly and paid by card or bank transfer. Wire transfers and gift cards are much harder to recover. Banks can sometimes recall bank transfers within 24 to 48 hours. See /recovery for options.