An online partner I've never met wants me to gamble on a site they recommend — is this a scam?

In this scam, someone you met online — often through a dating app or social media — invests weeks or months building what feels like a genuine romantic or close friendship before introducing a 'lucky' gambling, trading, or investment platform, often one they claim to use themselves with great success. Early on you may be encouraged to deposit a small amount and are shown real, fast withdrawals to build trust.

Once trust is established, the platform's interface — which is entirely controlled by the scammer, often not a real gambling or trading site at all — starts showing large fabricated 'winnings.' You're encouraged to deposit larger and larger amounts to 'capitalize' on the winning streak. When you eventually try to withdraw the larger balance, you'll be told you owe additional 'taxes,' 'fees,' or need to reach a minimum balance before withdrawal is allowed — none of which is true, and none of the money is recoverable once sent.

This pattern is now widespread enough to have a name, 'pig butchering,' reflecting the slow, patient fattening of the victim's trust before the final loss. A key sign is that the romantic relationship and the gambling or trading 'tip' are intertwined from someone you have never met in person, especially if the relationship escalated quickly and the platform is one you can't find independent, verifiable reviews of outside of what the person shows you.