1The scope of the problem
Romance scams cost European victims a great deal of money every year. Scammers are increasingly sophisticated, using stolen photos, elaborate stories, and emotional manipulation techniques to gain your trust.
Anyone can be targeted, regardless of age, education level, or online dating experience. Shame should never prevent a victim from reporting the scam.
2Warning signs to know
Here are the typical red flags of a romance scam:
- The person claims to live abroad or be military/engineer on an oil platform
- They declare very strong feelings within just a few days
- They systematically refuse video calls with various excuses
- They ask for money for a medical emergency, plane ticket, or legal issue
- They ask you to communicate outside the platform very quickly
- Their profile seems too perfect: model photos, dramatic life story
- They isolate you from friends and family or ask you to keep the relationship secret
3How to verify a profile
Do a reverse image search of the profile photos on Google Images. If the photos appear under a different name, it's a fake profile. Also check information consistency: someone who claims to live in Brussels but knows nothing about the city is suspicious.
Suggest a video call from the first exchanges. A genuine person will happily agree. A scammer will always find excuses to avoid any real-time visual contact.
4What to do if you're a victim
If you realize you're a victim of a romance scam, immediately cease all contact. Don't feel guilty — scammers are professional manipulators. Keep all evidence (messages, screenshots, transfer details).
Report the scam to the dating platform, local police, and the European Cybercrime Centre. In Belgium, you can also report through the official Federal Police website.
5Safety on Koeur24
At Koeur24, every photo goes through automatic moderation followed by manual approval, and optional identity verification by selfie adds a badge. Every reported profile is reviewed by the moderation team.
NEVER transfer money to someone you've met online, regardless of the reason given. Someone who truly loves you will never ask for money. If in doubt, contact our support at info+support@koeur24.com.