The 4 most common romance-scam playbooks in 2026
1. Pig-butchering (crypto romance)
Starts as a friendly chat from a "wrong number" or a match. Builds rapport over weeks. Eventually mentions a trading platform they use. Walks you through small "wins" that go into a fake interface. Disappears with your money.
2. Military / oil rig
Claims to be deployed overseas. Can never video call due to "security". Eventually a crisis — medical leave, equipment fees, customs charges. Money is requested via wire or gift cards.
3. Inheritance / business deal
"I just need help moving funds." Or "I'm waiting on a large inheritance and just need a small amount to clear it." Pure 419 fraud, repackaged for dating apps.
4. Sextortion
Builds trust, escalates to intimate exchange, then threatens to send the content to your contacts unless you pay. The right response: stop replying, screenshot everything, report to the platform and to local police.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is this checker?
It scans for over 30 patterns documented by the FTC, FBI IC3, and Action Fraud — patterns like never being able to video call, sudden financial emergencies, working on an oil rig, or being a high-rank military officer abroad. Pattern matches are a strong signal but not proof. Use the score as a starting point, not a verdict.
Is what I paste stored anywhere?
No. The analysis happens entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent to our servers.
I think I'm being scammed — what should I do?
Stop sending money immediately. Don't tell the scammer you're suspicious — they may double down. Report to your local fraud authority (FTC ReportFraud.ftc.gov in the US, Action Fraud in the UK, ACCC Scamwatch in Australia). If you've sent crypto, report to FBI IC3. Tell someone you trust.
Can a romance scammer ever be a real person?
Most large-scale romance scams are run from organised compounds in Southeast Asia, often by trafficked workers who are themselves victims. The person you're talking to is real, but the persona is not — and the script is industrial.
What if my partner just refuses to video call because they're shy?
Shyness is real, but real shy people will eventually agree to a short, low-pressure call. A flat refusal for months, especially when paired with declarations of love early on, is a strong red flag.
Read our full scam-pattern guide
A long-form article on how modern romance scams work and how to report them.