Romance• 6 min read
Romance Scams in 2026: The 10 Warning Signs Police Wish Everyone Knew
Romance scams cost victims more money than any other online fraud — average loss in 2025 was over $14,000. The script hasn't changed in a decade.
Stage 1: Love bombing (week 1–2)
Calls you 'my queen' / 'my king' within days. Says 'I've never felt this before.'
Stage 2: Isolation
'Your friends don't understand us.' Moves you off the dating app fast.
Stage 3: The future fake
Plans a wedding, a move, a business — before you've ever met.
Stage 4: The 'emergency'
Medical bill, customs fee, blocked bank account. Always urgent. Always crypto.
Stage 5: The recovery scam
After you lose money, a 'recovery agent' messages you. Same scammer, second bite.
The bottom line
If you suspect a romance scam, do not confront — preserve evidence. Forward the chat to ScamGuard on WhatsApp for a confidential analysis.