What the scam check looks for
Scam-report sites
Sites where victims post the names, photos, emails and phone numbers that scammers used, such as RomanceScam.com, ScamDigger and ScamWarners, plus scam discussions on Reddit.
Fraud mentions on the web
Pages that mention what you searched together with words like “scam”, “fraud”, “catfish” or “fake profile”. We show each page so you can judge it yourself.
Throwaway contact details
Emails from disposable “burner” services are a common scam sign. We flag them automatically when you check an email.
A red-flag checklist
Eight warning signs that show up in most romance scams. Tick what has happened and get an honest risk level. Your answers never leave the page.
No reports found doesn’t mean safe. Scammers change names, numbers and photos often. Always combine the check with a photo search and a live video call before you trust someone you met online.
The most common romance scams in 2026
Pig butchering (crypto investment scams)
A friendly match slowly builds trust over weeks, then mentions how much they earn trading crypto and offers to “teach” you. The trading site is fake. Small early “profits” encourage bigger deposits, which can never be withdrawn.
Military or overseas worker
The scammer claims to be deployed abroad, working on an oil rig, at sea or with a medical charity. That explains why they can’t video call or meet, and sets up later requests for money for leave, travel or customs fees.
Emergency and fee requests
Out of nowhere there’s a hospital bill, a frozen bank account, a visa fee or a stuck package. They ask for gift cards, wire transfers or crypto because those are hard to trace or reverse.
Sextortion
After moving the chat to another app, they push for intimate photos or video, then threaten to send them to your friends unless you pay. Don’t pay: stop responding, save the evidence and report it.
Catfishing with stolen photos
Many scam profiles use photos taken from real people’s Instagram accounts, often models or fitness influencers. A reverse image search usually exposes them in seconds.
How to check a match before you meet
- Run the scam check above on every detail you have: their username, email, phone number and full name.
- Check their photos. Upload one to our photo search. Photos under a different name are a red flag.
- Search their usernames on dating apps. Our username search shows if their profile details match what they told you.
- Ask for a live video call. Real people agree. Repeated excuses are a warning sign.
- Never send money, gift cards, crypto or verification codes to someone you haven’t met in person.
- Meet safely. Choose a public place, arrange your own transport and tell a friend where you’ll be.
What a full romance background check adds
Our free check covers what’s public on the web. A paid people-search report from our partners goes further: it can confirm a person’s real name and age, show linked phone numbers, emails and addresses, and include court or criminal records where they’re publicly available. It’s optional, clearly labeled, and sold by the partner. Don’t use it for employment, housing, credit or insurance decisions.
If you’ve already sent money
- Contact your bank or card provider immediately. Some transfers can still be stopped or disputed.
- Stop all contact and don’t send more, even if they promise to pay it back.
- Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the FBI’s IC3 (US), or your local police fraud unit.
- Report the profile in the dating app so they can remove it.
- Beware of “recovery” services that promise to get your money back for a fee. They are often a second scam.
Related guides: How to tell if a dating profile is fake · Reverse image search for dating · All guides
FAQ
Is the romance scam check free?
Yes. Searching scam-report sites and the web, and the red-flag checklist, are free with no sign-up. A full background report from a partner is optional and paid.
Will the person know I checked them?
No. We only search public pages. Nobody is contacted or notified.
What can I search with?
A username, email address, phone number or full name. Each one is searched across scam-report sites and fraud warnings on the web.
No scam reports were found. Are they safe?
Not necessarily. Many scammers use new names and numbers. Check their photos, insist on a live video call, and never send money to someone you haven’t met.
How do I know if a dating profile is fake?
Common signs are very polished photos, a thin bio, pressure to move to WhatsApp or Telegram, excuses to avoid video calls, and any talk of money or investments. A photo search often confirms it.
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