TL;DR: Daters over 50 are often financially established and newer to dating apps. Never send money to someone you haven't met in person, be wary of a partner who avoids video calls, and talk to a trusted friend before acting on any financial request from an online match.
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Daters over 50 are often financially established and newer to dating apps.
Common Tactics Used
Romance scams build an emotional connection over weeks or months before inventing a crisis, such as a medical emergency or stuck shipment, that requires money to resolve.
How to Protect Against It
Never send money to someone you haven't met in person, be wary of a partner who avoids video calls, and talk to a trusted friend before acting on any financial request from an online match.
What Family and Friends Can Do
Sudden secrecy about money, unusual withdrawals, or a new online relationship that stays undisclosed are all worth a calm, judgment-free conversation. The earlier a scam is caught, the more can usually be recovered.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading Scams Targeting People Going Through Divorce.
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see Scams Targeting People Paying Off Debt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are they specifically targeted?
Daters over 50 are often financially established and newer to dating apps.
What tactics do scammers use?
Romance scams build an emotional connection over weeks or months before inventing a crisis, such as a medical emergency or stuck shipment, that requires money to resolve.
How can they protect themselves?
Never send money to someone you haven't met in person, be wary of a partner who avoids video calls, and talk to a trusted friend before acting on any financial request from an online match.
What should family or friends watch for?
Sudden secrecy about money or new online relationships, unusual withdrawals or wire transfers, and reluctance to discuss a new "opportunity" or contact in detail are all worth a gentle, non-judgmental conversation.
What should I do if I think this has already happened?
Stop all contact and payments immediately, report it to the appropriate authority, and contact the bank or payment provider involved to see what can be recovered.