Romance Scams (also known as Catfishing Scams)

What is a Romance Scam (also known as a Catfishing Scam) ?
In romance scams, a criminal uses a fake online identity to gain a victim's affection and trust. The scammer then uses the illusion of a romantic or close relationship to manipulate and/or steal from the victim.

The scammer wants to establish a relationship as quickly as possible, endear themselves to the victim, and gain trust. Scammers may propose marriage and make plans to meet in person, but that will never happen. Eventually, they will ask for money.

The criminals who carry out romance scams are experts at what they do and will seem genuine, caring, and believable. Con artists are present on most dating and social media sites.

Scam artists often say they are in the building and construction industry and are engaged in projects outside the U.S. That makes it easier to avoid meeting in person—and more plausible when they ask for money for a medical emergency or unexpected legal fee.

If someone you meet online needs your bank account information to deposit money, they are most likely using your account to carry out other theft and fraud schemes.

Protect Yourself
• Be careful what you post and make public online. Scammers can use details shared on social media and dating sites to better understand and target you.

• Research the person’s photo and profile using online searches to see if the image, name, or details have been used elsewhere.

• Go slowly and ask lots of questions.

• Beware if the individual seems too perfect or quickly asks you to leave a dating service or social media site to communicate directly.

• Beware if the individual attempts to isolate you from friends and family or requests inappropriate photos or financial information that could later be used to extort you.

• Beware if the individual promises to meet in person but then always comes up with an excuse why they can’t. If you haven’t met the person after a few months, for whatever reason, you have good reason to be suspicious.

• Never send money to anyone you have only communicated with online or by phone.

• If you feel something isn’t right, trust your instincts and stop all contact with the person immediately.

Have you become a victim of a romance scam?
If you've been victimized, stop all contact with the scammer immediately.

Report Romance Scams
To report romance scams, you may contact our police department’s non-emergency dispatch center at (954) 764-4357 (HELP). You may also report these incidents to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) by visiting their webpage at ic3.gov. As each case is unique to the circumstances, our police department will determine if it is appropriate for us to investigate, or to refer the matter to the FBI or another law enforcement agency.

Want more information about Romance Scams to include crime prevention videos and podcasts?
For more information to include crime prevention videos and podcasts, you may visit the FBI’s “Romance Scams” website by clicking HERE.

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