Romance/Dating Fraud
Pause, verify the request through an official channel and never act under pressure.
What is this fraud?
A fake romantic relationship is created online to exploit the victim financially or obtain private material.
How does it happen?
After sustained trust-building, the scammer requests money for travel, medical care, investment, customs or an emergency; it may evolve into sextortion.
Warning signs
Relationship moves very quickly; excuses to avoid meeting; inconsistent story; request for money/crypto; investment advice; demand for intimate content.
How to stay safe
Reverse-check profile images where possible, verify identity independently and never send money or intimate content to someone known only online.
If you are a victim
Stop payments, preserve the profile/chats, notify the platform and bank, call 1930 and report online; seek support without embarrassment.
Evidence to preserve
Keep transaction IDs or UTRs, bank messages, screenshots, chats, emails, phone numbers, profiles, URLs, app details, and the exact date and time. Preserve original files without editing or deleting them.
Official reporting
For financial cyber fraud, call 1930 immediately, notify your bank or payment provider, and file a complaint through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal ↗. General technical advisories are available from CERT-In ↗.