A romance scam is a type of fraud that targets individuals looking for love and companionship online. Scammers create fake online profiles on dating websites, social media platforms, using fake names, photos, and personal information to create a false identity. They then engage in a long-term online relationship with their victims, gaining their trust and affection over time. Once they have established a relationship, scammers ask for money often citing an emergency or financial hardship. Victims may be asked to send money via wire transfer, gift cards or cryptocurrency. The scammer may continue to ask for money over time, sometimes even meeting in person to continue the deception. Romance scams can be emotionally devastating for victims, resulting in financial loss and feelings of betrayal and shame.