How it works

Scammers create fake online profiles on social media or dating websites using photos of other people. They are charming and smitten with you from the get-go, professing their love quickly, even though they have never met you. They often claim to be living, traveling or working abroad to explain why they are unable to meet in person. Over time, they gradually gain your confidence. Once they have earned your trust, they make up stories about how they urgently need money — for emergencies, hospital bills or a plane ticket to finally meet you — and ask you to wire it to them. Your money disappears and so does your new romantic partner.

What you should know

  • A scammer can discover many personal details about someone via social media or through identity theft, so do not trust a caller at face value.
  • If you receive a phone call of this nature, it is best to hang up and then try to verify the whereabouts of your grandchild by calling his or her cell phone directly or contacting his or her parents.