The Romance Scam

In Canada, the 'Romance Scam' is one of the most damaging frauds – both emotionally and financially. This scam is elaborate and lengthy, designed to first steal your heart and then steal your money. Criminal organizations around the world are behind the Romance Scam. Meeting someone you really connect with, or want to be with, is an amazing feeling. Sharing messages and pictures can be a great start to an online relationship, but be on alert when the conversation turns to money. Once an online relationship is established the scammer may share a heartbreaking story and ask you for money to help them out. They may tell you about a problem they’re in. Maybe they’re stranded somewhere and need money to get home, or they need help paying for airfare or paying for a medical bill. Maybe they promise to share a large sum of money with you. But in all of these situations, the scammer will eventually ask you to transfer money to them, or to someone else. There is no romance, there is no promised windfall. Protect yourself by: • Never sending money or giving financial details to anybody you don’t know and trust • Checking website and email addresses carefully because scammers will often use fake information • Never giving personal information when chatting online If you are a victim of the Romance Scam, report the fraud to police. Visit www.tps.ca/fraud for more information and tips so you #DontGetScammed