Common Romance Scams
Fake Tax Liabilities on Romance-Initiated Investments
Scammers posing as government officials or financial regulators claim you owe unpaid taxes on profits from investment opportunities suggested by your online lover. They use threats of legal action, frozen bank accounts, or even arrest warrants to pressure victims into making immediate payments.
Crypto Trading Tax Clearance Scams in Romance Scams
On social media and dating apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, scammers convince victims that a “crypto tax withdrawal fee” must be paid before they can access their supposed investment returns. However, once the money is sent, the scammer vanishes, leaving them with no returns and a heartbreaking financial loss.
Fake Tax Refunds Linked to Romance Scams
Scammers contact victims via email, text, or phone calls, pretending to be tax officials offering a large refund on investment profits. They request sensitive financial details, such as bank account credentials or Social Security numbers, to "process the refund. They use this information for identity theft or to commit financial fraud under the victim’s name.
Capital Gains Tax Fraud in Romance Investment Scams
Romance scammers posing as brokers or tax consultants tell victims they must pay capital gains tax before receiving trading profits promised by their online love interest. Victims send the funds out of trust or fear of losing their money—only to realize there was never any profit, and the entire investment opportunity was fake.
Identity Theft for Tax Fraud in Romance Scams
Cybercriminals operating through online dating scams and social media scams often steal personal and financial information using phishing emails, fake investment platforms, or compromised accounts. Once they obtain a victim’s sensitive details, they file fraudulent tax returns in their name, claiming illegitimate refunds before the real taxpayer can file.
