It feels personal when you deal with romance fraud, which is why it is. It’s a trust game. After that, it messes with your money. This is why proof is important. Romance Fraud suspects often disappear once you talk to them about it. Accounts are erased. Chats are erased. It gets cooler along the walk.

Also, this isn’t “small.” There were 17,910 “Confidence/Romance” complaints and $672,009,052 in recorded losses in the FBI’s IC3 2024 report. The FTC also said that people lost $1.14 billion to romance scams in 2023, with a typical loss of $2,000. Because of this, Romance Fraud needs a calm, proof-based method.

Why You Shouldn’t Confront Them First

Getting into a fight in Romance Fraud is like yelling “fire” in a room full of smoke. People run. There is also evidence.

• A smart con artist will: Stop you from going anywhere.
• Get rid of texts.
• Change your usernames.
• Start over with someone else.

The first thing you need to do in Romance Fraud is easy: save the proof before you stir things up.

The Romance Fraud Proof Checklist We Build

1) Identity Proof: Are They One Person, Or A Patchwork?

Names can be changed in Romance Fraud. The pictures are borrowed. Stories are “Based on true events.” 

Things we look for:

• Doing reverse image searches on personal pictures is often linked to catfishing.
• Different names for the same pictures on different accounts.
• A “true” job story that never includes details that can be checked (like business, coworker, or local references).

If someone is catfishing, the identity generally falls apart with a few easy checks.

2) Communication Proof: The Pattern Behind The Sweet Talk

A romance scam usually has a plan. At first, it’s not always clear. It might sound kind.

• We record the first week of messages (when love bombing usually happens).
• Any push to quickly leave the app?
• Giving the same reasons over and over why they can’t meet or video call.

You’re not just “being nice” when you love bomb. It’s often used in romance fraud to get people to trust each other faster before the first ask.

3) Video Call Proof: “Almost” Doesn’t Count

If they say no to a live video call, that’s a big sign that they are not interested in you.

How it works:

• To get a live video call, all you have to do is “wave and say today’s date.”
• Keep an eye out for stories about anger, guilt, or sudden sickness.
• You’ll often have a lot of “camera issues” in an online dating scam. It’s not always just bad luck in Romance Fraud.

4) Money Proof: Follow The Exact Trail

This is where Romance Fraud can be measured.

We gather:

• Every request has a screenshot.
• Tax receipts, transaction IDs, email addresses, usernames, and wallet accounts.
• Gift cards, wire transfers, cash apps, or cryptocurrency were used.

Be very careful if it turns into a scam to get you to invest in crypto. Those often show fake “profits,” then refuse to let you withdraw your money, and then demand “fees.” A crypto investment scam is still a romance scam; it’s just dressed up as a financial scam.

5) Story Proof: Do Their Details Survive A Timeline?

Romance fraud stories often sound dramatic, like about working abroad, sudden crises, or getting an inheritance out of the blue.

We make a record of time:

• When they “got” to a place.
• List of emergency dates.
• When people ask for money.
• Time zones, travel times, or daily routines that don’t match up.

The real world can keep things the same. In most cases, romance fraud can’t.

What To Do After You’ve Gathered Proof

Don’t send any more money and keep everything if you think you’re dealing with Romance Fraud. FBI tells people who have been scammed to stop talking to the scammers and report them to IC3. 

Do not forget those numbers: The IC3 report for 2024 lists 17,910 complaints and $672,009,052 in losses. In 2023, $1.14 billion was lost to romance scams. You’re not the only one who feels this way.

Final Word Before You Confront Them

Romance Fraud is emotional. That’s why a checklist helps. It keeps you steady when your feelings are loud.

If you want professional help verifying facts and organizing proof before you confront them, reach out to Lauth Investigations.