140+ Common Romance Scammer Lines, Excuses & Red Flags to Watch For in 2026
Online dating is already a bit wild and fun. But there's a big difference between "he has a photo holding a fish" and "he literally is a fish." Romance scammers keep reusing the same scripts. In 2026, romance scams remain a top threat, with older adults (60+) reporting $2.4 billion in total fraud losses (often driven by investment scams, romance scams, and impersonation frauds) ftc.gov.
Below is a big list of the most common romance scam lines and what to do if you spot one.
Heads up: These are examples to help you recognize scams. If someone’s saying these to you, it's a scam, not a love letter.
In this article, we're going to discuss
- Quick “if you only read one section” red flags
- Medical emergencies: “My grandma is sick...”
- Jail, police, lawyers: “It’s a misunderstanding...”
- Military / “classified” careers: “I can’t video call”
- Offshore work: oil rigs, ships, “remote sites”
- Travel chaos: passport, airport, stranded
- The “important delivery” / customs / package scam
- Inheritance, gold, business funds: “My money is trapped”
- Crypto / investing: “I can teach you how to invest”
- Love-bombing + speed run commitment
- Guilt, pressure, manipulation: “If you loved me...”
- “Move off-app” + secrecy tactics
- Celebrity romance scams: “It’s me. Totally me. Don’t Google it.”
- Payment-method red flags: gift cards, crypto, wires
- Private photos / sextortion bait
- Account “verification” and code scams
- What to do if someone hits you with these lines
- Do this (fast)
- Don’t do this
- Mini-checklist: “Is this a catfish?”
- What are the most common romance scammer excuses?
- Why do scammers move you to WhatsApp or Telegram?
- How do celebrity romance scams work?
- What should I do if a “celebrity” DMs me?
- Is it always a scam if someone can’t video call?
- What’s the #1 rule to avoid romance scams?
Quick “if you only read one section” red flags
If your match does any of these, proceed like your group chat is watching:
- They won’t video call (or always “can’t right now”).
- They have an excuse why they can't meet in person.
- The romance goes from “hi” to marriage in 72 hours.
- Any story that ends in you paying a fee, buying gift cards, or crypto.
Medical emergencies: “My grandma is sick...”
These are designed to trigger urgency + sympathy (and your wallet).
- “My grandma is sick and I need to pay the hospital bill.”
- “I’m in the ER right now—please don’t panic.”
- “My mom needs surgery and I’m short on the deposit.”
- “My child is sick and the pharmacy won’t release the meds.”
- “I don’t have insurance—can you help just this once?”
- “I’m in a private clinic; they only accept cash.”
- “I’m scared… I don’t know who else to ask.”
- “The doctor says we need to act today.”
- “I’ll pay you back the second my account unlocks.”
- “My phone is about to die—please send it fast.”
Funny-but-true translation: If love comes with a co-pay, it's a scam!
Jail, police, lawyers: “It’s a misunderstanding...”
Classic urgency + shame + secrecy combo.
- “I got arrested—wrong place, wrong time.”
- “I need bail money and I’m freaking out.”
- “My lawyer needs a retainer today.”
- “My bank account is frozen because of the case.”
- “Please don’t tell anyone, it’s embarrassing.”
- “The police said I need to pay a fine immediately.”
- “I’m being detained at immigration.”
- “I can’t talk—this is serious.”
- “If I don’t pay tonight, it gets worse.”
- “I’ll explain everything after you help me.”
Military / “classified” careers: “I can’t video call”
Distance + authority + built-in excuses.
- “I’m deployed right now.”
- “We can’t video call for security reasons.”
- “Cameras aren’t allowed on base.”
- “My commander monitors communications.”
- “I’m on a peacekeeping mission.”
- “I’m a government contractor overseas.”
- “My location is classified.”
- “I can’t access my bank from here.”
- “I’m coming home soon—just waiting on paperwork.”
- “I want you to be my future wife/husband when I return.”
Reality check: Plenty of real service members date online. The scam part is the no-verification + money request.
Offshore work: oil rigs, ships, “remote sites”
The holy trinity of catfish alibis: remote, busy, poor signal.
- “I work on an oil rig.”
- “I’m on a ship—reception is terrible.”
- “I’m at a remote work site.”
- “I can only text, calls are blocked.”
- “I’m working nights for the next two weeks straight.”
- “I’m traveling internationally for a contract.”
- “My schedule is unpredictable—please be patient.”
- “I lost my phone but I can still message here.”
- “My camera is broken.”
- “I’ll meet you once this job finishes.”
Travel chaos: passport, airport, stranded
They’re always “almost” on the way to you… after one small fee.
- “I’m stranded at the airport.”
- “My card isn’t working abroad.”
- “My passport was stolen.”
- “I need money for a replacement passport.”
- “I missed my flight—can you help me rebook?”
- “They’re making me pay a travel insurance fee.”
- “I’m stuck at the border.”
- “I can’t access my funds in this country.”
- “I’m so close to seeing you, please don’t let this stop us.”
- “I’ll pay you back when I land.”
The “important delivery” / customs / package scam
A romance scammer’s favorite plot device: The Mysterious Package™.
- “I sent you a package—there’s a small customs fee.”
- “The courier needs a release payment.”
- “It’s stuck in transit; they need insurance money.”
- “Customs flagged it as high value.”
- “They need a clearance code fee.”
- “I mailed you a surprise gift but there’s a problem.”
- “Please don’t refuse the package.”
- “You’re the beneficiary; you need to pay to receive it.”
- “The delivery agent will call you—be ready.”
- “Once it arrives, everything will be okay.”
Pro tip: Real gifts don’t require you to pay a stranger to “unlock” them.
Inheritance, gold, business funds: “My money is trapped”
This category exists because scammers love the word “fee.”
- “I inherited money but can’t access it yet.”
- “My funds are held by an attorney.”
- “I have gold bars/diamonds I need to move.”
- “I’m waiting for a large transfer.”
- “The bank needs a processing fee.”
- “It’s a temporary issue; the funds are real.”
- “My accountant said I need to pay a tax first.”
- “If you help me now, you’ll be rewarded.”
- “I can trust you with this because we’re building a future.”
- “I’ll send you a bigger amount back.”
Crypto / investing: “I can teach you how to invest”
If the flirting turns into a finance seminar, that’s not romance—it’s a funnel.
- “I can teach you how to invest.”
- “This platform gives guaranteed daily returns.”
- “My friend/uncle is an analyst with signals.”
- “Start small and you’ll see it works.”
- “Look, I withdrew profits already.”
- “Put more in to unlock the higher tier.”
- “This is a limited-time opportunity.”
- “You need to deposit again to verify your account.”
- “Pay this tax to release your funds.”
- “Don’t tell anyone—they’ll try to stop you.”
Rule of thumb: Anyone promising guaranteed returns is guaranteeing a scam.
Love-bombing + speed run commitment
Real connection grows. Scams microwave.
- “I’ve never felt this way before.”
- “You’re my soulmate.”
- “I deleted the app because I only want you.”
- “Can we be exclusive already?”
- “Let’s plan our future.”
- “I want to marry you.”
- “I wish I could hold you right now.”
- “Promise you’ll never leave me.”
- “I’m crying because I finally found you.”
- “I’m jealous when you’re not replying.”
Guilt, pressure, manipulation: “If you loved me...”
These lines try to make your boundaries feel like betrayal.
- “I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t urgent.”
- “If you loved me, you’d help.”
- “I thought you were different.”
- “Why are you doubting me?”
- “You’re breaking my heart.”
- “Don’t listen to your friends—they’re jealous.”
- “You’re being cold right now.”
- “I guess I can’t trust anyone.”
- “I’m disappointed in you.”
- “I can’t believe you’d do this to me.”
“Move off-app” + secrecy tactics
Scammers want you off the platform where they can be reported.
- “The app is glitchy—text me on WhatsApp.”
- “I’m not on here much, let’s talk on Telegram.”
- “Delete our chats—privacy.”
- “Let’s keep this just between us.”
- “Your family wouldn’t understand.”
- “Don’t mention me to anyone yet.”
Celebrity romance scams: “It’s me. Totally me. Don’t Google it.”
This is where a scammer pretends to be a celebrity (or “celebrity-adjacent”) and slides into DMs with a tragic need for your loyalty and/or money. If you’re thinking “Why would a famous person message me?” — congratulations, your instincts are functioning.
- “It’s really me, but I’m using a private account.”
- “My team doesn’t know I’m here—please keep this secret.”
- “I’m tired of fame; I want a real person like you.”
- “I can’t video call because my management monitors everything.”
- “Don’t contact my official page—this is personal.”
- “I’m going through a divorce; I need someone I can trust.”
- “My label/studio is controlling my money right now.”
- “I’m stuck on set and can’t access my bank account.”
- “I’m on tour and my card won’t work in this country.”
- “I want to fly you out—just pay the booking/security fee.”
- “You need a ‘VIP pass’ to meet me.”
- “My fan club membership is required for a private chat.”
- “My assistant will message you with payment details.”
- “I’ll send you a gift, but there’s a customs/insurance fee.”
- “I’m doing a surprise giveaway—send your info to confirm.”
- “You need to pay a verification fee to prove you’re not a scammer.”
- “I can’t use PayPal; use gift cards instead.”
- “Send crypto so it stays private.”
- “I’m being blackmailed—please help me handle it quietly.”
- “If you tell anyone, my career is over.”
Celebrity scam reality check: Real celebrities don’t ask strangers for gift cards, crypto, “VIP fees,” or hush-hush payments. Ever.
Payment-method red flags: gift cards, crypto, wires
If the payment method sounds like something you’d use in a hostage movie: no.
- “Can you send an Apple/Google gift card?”
- “Just scratch the back and send the code.”
- “My bank is down—use Zelle/Cash App.”
- “Western Union is easiest.”
- “Wire transfer only.”
- “Crypto is faster and safer.”
- “Send USDT—no delays.”
- “I can’t receive money, but my friend can.”
- “Please don’t write a note/memo.”
Private photos / sextortion bait
This can flip fast into threats.
- “Send me a private photo—just for me.”
- “Prove you trust me.”
- “Let’s do a quick video call 😉”
- “I won’t save it, I promise.”
- “If you don’t send more, I’ll share what I have.”
- “Pay me and I’ll delete everything.”
Account “verification” and code scams
These are often account takeover attempts.
- “I accidentally sent a code to your phone—send it to me.”
- “Help me verify my account using your number.”
- “I need you to receive a package for me.”
- “Can you log in and check something for me?”
What to do if someone hits you with these lines
Do this (fast)
- Stop sending money (and don’t “just help once”).
- Ask for a live video call (“wave, say today’s date, talk for 30 seconds”).
- Keep the conversation on the app.
- Screenshot everything (profile, messages, payment requests).
- Report + block on the platform.
Don’t do this
- Don’t send gift card codes, crypto, wires, or “fees.”
- Don’t share verification codes.
- Don’t send intimate photos to someone you haven’t verified.
Mini-checklist: “Is this a catfish?”
If you’re at 2+ yeses, treat it like a scam until proven otherwise:
- Avoids video calls ✅
- Has an “emergency” that requires money ✅
- Uses urgent language (“today,” “now,” “before midnight”) ✅
- Wants secrecy (“don’t tell anyone”) ✅
- Pushes crypto/investing ✅
- Their story changes when you ask basic questions ✅
- Photos look like a model / too polished / inconsistent ✅
FAQ
What are the most common romance scammer excuses?
Medical emergencies, being “deployed,” working on an oil rig/ship, customs/package fees, and “I can teach you crypto investing.”
Why do scammers move you to WhatsApp or Telegram?
To avoid platform monitoring, make reporting harder, and keep you talking after their dating profile gets banned.
How do celebrity romance scams work?
A scammer impersonates a celebrity (or someone “on their team”), builds emotional trust fast, then introduces secrecy and a payment hook—VIP passes, “fan club” fees, travel costs, verification fees, gift cards, or crypto.
What should I do if a “celebrity” DMs me?
Treat it as a scam until proven otherwise:
- Don’t pay fees for “VIP,” “verification,” or “fan club access.”
- Don’t move to private messengers at their request.
- Don’t share codes, banking info, or intimate photos.
- Report the account to the platform.
Is it always a scam if someone can’t video call?
Not always—but if they won’t video call and they ask for money or push secrecy, it’s a major red flag.
What’s the #1 rule to avoid romance scams?
Never send money to someone you haven’t verified in real life—especially via gift cards, wire transfer, or crypto.
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