AfroDatin

Stay safe

Romance Scam Red Flags

Romance scams cost people across Africa and the diaspora real money and real heartbreak every year. The good news: almost every scam follows the same script. Learn the pattern once and you'll spot it instantly.

Love way too fast

Scammers say 'I love you' within days and talk about marriage or moving in before you've ever met. Rushing the emotional connection is a deliberate tactic — it's designed to lower your guard before the ask.

Always an excuse not to video call

Bad signal, broken camera, working on an oil rig, deployed overseas — if someone has endless reasons they can never show their face live, treat it as a serious warning. A real person will happily hop on a quick video call.

The story leads to money

Every romance scam ends the same way: a sudden emergency, a stuck shipment, a hospital bill, a customs fee, a 'guaranteed' crypto opportunity. Any request for money, gift cards, airtime or bank details from someone you haven't met is a scam, full stop.

Photos and details don't add up

Model-perfect photos, a glamorous job abroad, and a story that shifts each time you ask are classic signs. Try a reverse image search of their pictures — stolen photos are a giveaway.

What to do

Stop sending messages, never send money, and report the profile so moderators can remove it and warn others. If you've already sent funds, contact your bank immediately and report it to your local fraud authority. You did nothing wrong — these scams are professionally run.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if someone asks me for money?

Don't send anything. Stop the conversation and report the profile right away. No genuine match you've met only online will ever need your money.

I think I've been scammed — what now?

Contact your bank or payment provider immediately to try to stop or reverse the transfer, report it to your local fraud or police authority, and report the profile to us so we can remove it.

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