💔Romance Scam

What is Romance Scam ?

A romance scam is a type of online fraud in which a scammer pretends to be someone seeking love or friendship.
Through dating websites, social networks, or messaging apps like WhatsApp, Viber, and Telegram, the scammer:

• Creates a fake profile;

• Builds an emotional connection with the victim;

• Gradually begins asking for money or other assistance.

Victims are often single women, divorced, or widowed, but scammers also target men.
The scam develops slowly – sometimes over months – until the victim’s full trust is gained.

Common scenarios:

• Meeting a “special person” online – usually a doctor, military officer, pilot, or another prestigious profession, living/working abroad.

• Long communication building an emotional connection.

• Promises of a meeting, living together, or marriage.

• “Emergency situation” – a need for money for treatment, surgery, a ticket, or fees.

• Requests for money via bank transfer, Western Union, or cryptocurrency.

• If intimate photos are shared – threats and blackmail.
  
  

Key indicators:

• Everything sounds too good to be true.

• Constant refusal of video calls and excuses for not meeting in person.

• Strange language or use of automatic translation.

• Moving the conversation from the dating site to WhatsApp, Viber, or Telegram.

• Requests for money under “urgent circumstances”.

• Use of photos stolen from other profiles.
  
  

Consequences:

• Financial losses – often thousands of leva.

• Emotional trauma – loss of trust and relationship breakdown.

• Blackmail – if personal photos were sent.
  
  

How to protect yourself?

• Do not send money to someone you have never met in person.

• Do not share intimate photos or sensitive information.

• Be cautious if someone insists on moving the conversation to another app.

• Check the person’s profiles and photos on other social media.

• Share with family or friends if you have doubts.

• Stop communication if there is pressure or suspicious behavior.
  
  

What to do if you have already become a victim?

1. Immediately stop contact with the scammer.

2. Save all messages and take screenshots.

3. Report the fake profile on the platform.

4. Notify your bank about the scam immediately

   • Request blocking of cards or account access

   • Change internet banking passwords

   • Ask about the possibility of stopping a transfer if it has already been made

5. Report to the relevant authorities.
   
   

Whom to contact?

• GDBOP – gdbop.bg

• Ministry of Interior (MIA) – Regional Police Department (RPD)

• Prosecutor’s Office
  
  

Useful links:

• How to protect yourself from romance scams – BNT

• Romance scam schemes – BNR

• Tens of thousands of leva in losses – Bloomberg TV

• Fake profiles of famous Bulgarians – Darik News