Romance & impersonation
Supporting an elder relative in a romance scam
A relative is in deep with someone they have not met who asks for money. Looking for non-shaming approaches families used — not legal advice.
Discussion category
Romance & impersonation
Relationship fraud and people pretending to be trusted.
Romance & impersonation
Blocked them — a “friend” account appeared next
After I blocked a romance scammer, a new account claimed to be their friend explaining everything. I ignored it. Is the second-wave pattern common?
Romance & impersonation
New match asked for gaming gift cards
Within a day of matching, someone asked for gaming gift cards for a “family emergency.” I blocked. Is this still common?
Romance & impersonation
Deployment story and sudden money emergency
Someone claimed military deployment and later an emergency that only money could solve. I stopped before sending. Looking for others who recognized this pattern early.
Romance & impersonation
Someone made a social profile using my photos
Friends flagged a profile using my photos to message others. I did not engage the impersonator. What general reporting steps on major platforms helped, without posting the profile links here?
Romance & impersonation
When the conversation suddenly moved off the dating app
Someone on a dating app quickly wanted private messaging, then asked for help with an urgent money problem. I did not send funds, but I feel shaken. What helped others pause, preserve general evidence, and avoid further…
Romance & impersonation
Online relationship asked me to hold crypto for them
After months of messaging, someone asked me to “hold” crypto in a wallet they directed me to create. I refused and cut contact. Feeling embarrassed. What helped others process this safely?