Is a romance partner who asks for cryptocurrency a scammer?
This is a major red flag. Asking for cryptocurrency is one of the clearest signs of a romance scam, often linked to pig-butchering fraud.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
In romance scams, a fraudster builds an intimate relationship online — often over weeks or months — before introducing a financial need. Cryptocurrency is the preferred payment method because it is fast, international, and irreversible. The request is often framed as a business investment opportunity, a medical emergency, a stuck shipment, or a chance to share in trading profits. Victims who send crypto often face escalating demands. The romantic persona is entirely fabricated, and photos are typically stolen from real people's social media profiles. These scams cause enormous emotional and financial harm.
Common red flags
- Online partner you have never met in person asks for crypto
- Relationship progressed unusually fast with declarations of love
- Partner always has an excuse not to video call or meet
- Financial request follows a period of emotional bonding
- Reverse image search of their photo shows a different identity
What to do now
- Stop sending money immediately
- Reverse image search their profile photos using Google Images or TinEye
- Talk to a trusted friend or family member — outside perspective helps
- Report the profile to the platform and to your national fraud authority
Frequently asked questions
I sent crypto already. Can I get it back?
Crypto transactions are generally irreversible. Report to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) in the US, or your equivalent national authority. Some exchanges cooperate with law enforcement if funds are still on the platform.