Stage	Description	Examples
1. Building Trust	Scammers create fake profiles on social media, dating websites, or apps. They use attractive photos, stolen identities, and fabricated personal stories to appear genuine and trustworthy.	A scammer posing as a U.S. soldier stationed abroad. A business owner with a fabricated story about running a company in another country.
2. Emotional Manipulation	They gradually build an emotional connection by engaging in frequent, personal conversations. Scammers express affection and portray themselves as deeply invested in the victim's life, creating trust and dependency.	Daily messages or calls expressing love. Claiming they've never felt this way before and discussing plans for a future together.
3. Creating Crises	Once trust is established, the scammer fabricates emergencies to exploit the victim's emotions. They claim urgent financial needs, such as medical expenses, travel issues, or investment troubles, and ask for money or sensitive details.	Requesting money for a sudden hospital emergency. Asking for funds to buy a plane ticket to visit the victim. Claiming a business deal went wrong.
4. Escalating Requests	Scammers often test the waters with smaller financial requests before escalating to larger amounts. Over time, they may continuously invent new crises or opportunities that require additional payments from the victim.	Asking for a small amount to fix a passport issue. Requesting funds for a life-saving surgery. Creating excuses for repeated transfers.
5. Evading Detection	To avoid being discovered, scammers often use tools and techniques like encrypted messaging apps, fake phone numbers, or IP-masking software. They also avoid video calls or live meetings, citing excuses like bad internet or safety concerns.	Using encrypted platforms like WhatsApp or Telegram. Refusing video calls and providing pre-recorded videos instead. Claiming to work in a remote area.
6. Cutting Ties	Once the scammer feels they have extracted as much as possible, they cut off all communication, leaving the victim emotionally and financially devastated.	Suddenly blocking the victim on all platforms. Deleting their fake profiles. Disappearing without any explanation.

Factor	Description	Insights and Examples
1. Exploitation of Emotional Vulnerability	Scammers specifically target individuals who are lonely, isolated, or emotionally open. Such individuals tend to form quick emotional bonds and trust others without skepticism.	A widow seeking companionship after losing a spouse. An individual recovering from a breakup or facing social isolation due to life changes like relocation, retirement, or health issues. Scammers often target victims on platforms designed for finding emotional connections, such as dating apps.
2. Gradual Trust-Building	The scam typically unfolds over an extended period. By spending weeks or months cultivating the relationship, scammers make their actions seem genuine and their fraudulent requests more believable.	Consistent daily communication involving affectionate messages or video calls. Sharing fabricated life stories or pretending to be in similar situations to the victim, such as having lost a spouse or facing career challenges.
3. Emotional Manipulation	Scammers manipulate victims' empathy by fabricating crises or hardships that evoke emotional responses, such as worry, guilt, or love. Victims are compelled to help, believing they are supporting someone they care about.	Pretending to have a sick child or relative who needs emergency medical care. Claiming to be stranded in a foreign country without access to funds due to theft or legal issues. Scammers may feign tears or desperation during calls or messages to evoke sympathy.
4. Mirroring Tactics	Scammers build deeper trust by mirroring the victim's values, interests, and personality traits. This tactic creates the illusion of compatibility and reinforces the emotional bond.	If the victim enjoys photography, the scammer might claim to be a professional photographer or hobbyist. Sharing similar political views or religious beliefs to establish common ground. Repeating words or phrases the victim often uses to create a sense of closeness.
5. Plausible Excuses for Avoiding Meetings	Scammers offer believable explanations for why they cannot meet in person, conduct video calls, or share additional proof of identity, making their absence less suspicious to the victim.	Claiming to be deployed in the military in a conflict zone. Explaining a lack of access to technology due to remote work or travel. Stating that their financial situation prevents them from traveling or purchasing better communication equipment.
6. Internet Anonymity and Global Reach	Online platforms enable scammers to create fake profiles and operate anonymously across borders. This anonymity makes it difficult for victims to verify their identities or report their activities to authorities.	Scammers often use stolen profile photos and create elaborate fake backstories. Operate from countries with weak or non-cooperative law enforcement, making prosecution nearly impossible. Use of VPNs and encrypted platforms to evade tracking and detection.

Trigger	Explanation
Reciprocity	Scammers use small acts of affection (e.g., sending fake gifts or romantic messages) to make victims feel obligated to reciprocate financially or emotionally.
Scarcity	By creating urgency (e.g., I need help immediately or This is a once-in-a-lifetime crisis), scammers pressure victims to act quickly without verifying the situation.
Fear of Loss	Scammers threaten to cut off the relationship or imply that their situation could worsen without the victim’s help, exploiting the victim’s fear of losing the emotional bond.

What is a Romance Scam?

Definition of Romance Scams

How Romance Scams Work

Key Red Flags to Watch For Romance Scams:

Why Romance Scams Are So Effective: A Comprehensive Breakdown

Additional Psychological Triggers

Romance Scams Statistics

How Keepnet Human Risk Management Helps to Prevent Romance Scams

1. Phishing Simulation Products

2. Security Awareness Training

3. Phishing Forensic and Incident Response

SHARE ON

Schedule your 30-minute demo now

Related Blogs