THE TWELFTH SCAM OF THE SEASON
PROTECT YOUR DIGITAL LIFE™
The festive season often heightens loneliness and the desire for connection. Cybercriminals exploit this by posing as romantic interests or companions on dating apps and social media. They build trust over days or weeks, then fabricate emergencies that incur travel costs, medical bills, lost luggage, or investment opportunities to solicit money or sensitive information.
Warning signs
- The relationship progresses unusually fast or becomes emotional within days
- The person refuses to meet in person or video chat, citing vague excuses
- They ask for money or gifts, especially for “emergencies” or “travel plans”
- The story sounds rehearsed or inconsistent, with different job titles or travel details
- They steer you away from dating platforms to private messaging apps early on
How to stay safe
- Never send money, gift cards, or crypto currency to someone you haven’t met face-to-face
- Verify profile photos through reverse image searches, they often belong to stolen identities
- Keep communication within the dating app until you’ve verified their authenticity
- Be cautious of anyone who discourages skepticism or pushes emotional urgency
- If you suspect fraud, stop contact and report the account to the platform and local authorities