Romance Scams

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HOW TO STAY SAFE

Romance Scams

As more and more of our lives exist online, it is no surprise that dating is as well. Many people turn to online platforms to find love and connection. There are many wonderful success stories, however, scammers have entered the chat, and they use sophisticated methods to deceive and trick unsuspecting victims who are simply looking for love.

It usually starts with a flattering or friendly message via a dating platform you signed up for, or via other social media channels.

The scammer befriends you and showers you with attention and/or thoughtful gifts to show commitment, interest, and love. Once they have gained your trust, they create a scenario that requires financial supports; they claim there’s an emergency or a family tragedy, or they want to come and visit you, but they can't afford it right now.

They play on your emotions, often leading to you offering to help or they may ask you for money. They will continue to create new scenarios, doing all that they can to get as much money from you as possible.

When you start to question this or demand clarity, they then disappear.

How To Spot It

These are the red flags you should look out for:

You receive a romantic message from a stranger out of the blue.
The messages seem a bit generic. Scammers target many people at a time, so general greetings like 'hey beautiful' (not using your actual name) is common.
They ask you many personal questions and want the details but are not forthcoming with theirs.
They have a job that requires them to travel a lot, or they work strange hours.
They ask for money; this could be for an emergency, or they are having issues with their bank, or they want to come and see you, but they can't afford it.
They keep promising to meet or have a video chat, but then cancel at the last minute.
In other scenarios, the scammer may claim to be a wealthy individual or business owner, having made their fortune through 'strategic' investments and then offer to advise you or invest funds on your behalf to help improve your financial status.

What To Do

There are steps you can take to empower yourself to fight back against scams:

Have your guard up: When it comes to online connections, it's best to be cautious. If you did not sign up on a dating platform, be wary of unprompted conversations from unknown people you have not met in-person.
Verify and do your research: Do your research and relevant checks on the person.
Do not share personal/ confidential information: Do not share information with anyone, especially online with someone you have not met.
Don't transfer money: Be suspicious when people ask you for money for sudden tragedies, emergencies or illnesses. Do not send anything until you have confirmed this is legitimate.
Take steps to stay safe: If you are asked to meet in person, agree to meet in a public place accompanied by someone you trust, or at the police station.
Trust your instincts: If anything feels uncomfortable, end all communication.
Report it: If you have been scammed, please report it immediately to the relevant organisation and/ or authorities, as well as the Yima reporting function below, or the Yima scams hotline.

Stop. Think. Verify. Don't get scammed!

Report a Scam

HOW TO STAY SAFE

Advanced Fee Scams
This is when scammers trick victims into paying upfront fees, usually for discounted goods or services, with the promise of a prize, large payoff, or a gift that needs to be delivered, or even an inheritance that needs to be distributed.
FIND OUT MORE
Investment Scams
Scammers create the illusion of amazing investment opportunities that will help you improve your financial status.
FIND OUT MORE
Phishing (Emails/Websites)
Phishing emails ask users to click on a link in the email. This link will direct them to a 'spoofed' website (a fake website that very closely resembles the original site) to obtain, verify or update contact details or other confidential information, including financial information.
FIND OUT MORE
Money Mules
Fraudsters often trick people into letting them use their bank accounts to receive money from illegal activities - such as fraud, corruption, drug sales, smuggling, or even human trafficking. This tactic, known as money laundering, hides their identity by making transactions look legitimate.
FIND OUT MORE
Online Shopping Scam
Online shopping and e-commerce channels have grown tremendously in the last few years as more and more people are turning to it for the convenience it offers in a fast-paced world, as well as the amazing deals you can find online. However, this has also created various opportunities for scammers to gain access to your information or to steal your hard-earned cash.
FIND OUT MORE
Push Payment Fraud
Push payment fraud is when a person is tricked into authorising a real-time transfer of funds to a scammer impersonating a trusted organisation, like a bank representative for example.
FIND OUT MORE
Remote Access Scams
You are contacted by a scammer posing as a service provider that is known to you. They request 'remote access' to your device to do a security check, update or transaction.
FIND OUT MORE
Vishing (Phone Calls)
Scammers phone individuals posing as a representative from an established organisation like a bank, mobile service provider, insurer, retailer, government body or even the police. This is also known as voice phishing or vishing.
FIND OUT MORE
Ancestry Scams
These scams involve using a person's desire to connect with their heritage or cultural beliefs. Scammers create fake inheritance scenarios or fictitious ancestral demands from a sangoma (traditional healer).
FIND OUT MORE
Commodity Scams
A commodity scam is a sophisticated scheme involving raw materials like agricultural products, precious metals, or energy.
FIND OUT MORE
Employment Scams
Employment scams target people who are looking for jobs or employment opportunities. Scammers create fake job posts to lure people in, only to steal their money or personal information.
FIND OUT MORE
Smishing (SMSs)
Smishing is short for 'SMS phishing'. This is when fraudsters send an SMS pretending to be an organisation asking for financial or personal information.
FIND OUT MORE
Impersonation Scams
Impersonation scams involve criminals pretending to be trusted individuals or representatives from reputable organisations with the aim of stealing your money or personal and confidential information.
FIND OUT MORE
Quishing (Malicious QR Codes)
Quishing, or QR code phishing, is a scam where criminals use malicious QR codes to trick people into visiting their fake websites, downloading malware onto their devices, sharing personal information or stealing your money.
FIND OUT MORE
Social Engineering
Social engineering is a tactic used by scammers to influence or deceive a victim in order to steal their personal/ financial information or money, or to gain control over a system. It is about about using your behaviour and what you share with the world against you, and exploits your trust. A common tactic by scammers is to create a fake profile and then befriend potential victims, taking great interest in their social lives. They use this connection to gain access to your life and information.
FIND OUT MORE
Crypto Scams
Scammers create fake online investment trading platforms and investment houses, or crypto exchanges with the intention of stealing your money. They create professional looking marketing material and share posts on social media platforms to entice interest - promising fantastic returns for little investment. Their fake websites or mobile applications are designed to impress with technical layouts that imitate legitimate trading platforms.
FIND OUT MORE
Business Email Compromise
Business Email Compromise (BEC) is a sophisticated tactic where scammers impersonate high-ranking company officials or trusted partners through email or other messaging platforms to trick employees into making payments or sharing private and confidential business information.
FIND OUT MORE
Loan/ Debt Collector Scams
A loan scam is when a criminal deceives an individual into applying for fake loans. The scammers request personal and confidential information which is later used for other criminal activities.
FIND OUT MORE
Advanced Fee Scams
This is when scammers trick victims into paying upfront fees, usually for discounted goods or services, with the promise of a prize, large payoff, or a gift that needs to be delivered, or even an inheritance that needs to be distributed.
FIND OUT MORE
Investment Scams
Scammers create the illusion of amazing investment opportunities that will help you improve your financial status.
FIND OUT MORE
Phishing (Emails/Websites)
Phishing emails ask users to click on a link in the email. This link will direct them to a 'spoofed' website (a fake website that very closely resembles the original site) to obtain, verify or update contact details or other confidential information, including financial information.
FIND OUT MORE
Money Mules
Fraudsters often trick people into letting them use their bank accounts to receive money from illegal activities - such as fraud, corruption, drug sales, smuggling, or even human trafficking. This tactic, known as money laundering, hides their identity by making transactions look legitimate.
FIND OUT MORE
Online Shopping Scam
Online shopping and e-commerce channels have grown tremendously in the last few years as more and more people are turning to it for the convenience it offers in a fast-paced world, as well as the amazing deals you can find online. However, this has also created various opportunities for scammers to gain access to your information or to steal your hard-earned cash.
FIND OUT MORE
Push Payment Fraud
Push payment fraud is when a person is tricked into authorising a real-time transfer of funds to a scammer impersonating a trusted organisation, like a bank representative for example.
FIND OUT MORE
Remote Access Scams
You are contacted by a scammer posing as a service provider that is known to you. They request 'remote access' to your device to do a security check, update or transaction.
FIND OUT MORE
Vishing (Phone Calls)
Scammers phone individuals posing as a representative from an established organisation like a bank, mobile service provider, insurer, retailer, government body or even the police. This is also known as voice phishing or vishing.
FIND OUT MORE
Ancestry Scams
These scams involve using a person's desire to connect with their heritage or cultural beliefs. Scammers create fake inheritance scenarios or fictitious ancestral demands from a sangoma (traditional healer).
FIND OUT MORE
Commodity Scams
A commodity scam is a sophisticated scheme involving raw materials like agricultural products, precious metals, or energy.
FIND OUT MORE
Employment Scams
Employment scams target people who are looking for jobs or employment opportunities. Scammers create fake job posts to lure people in, only to steal their money or personal information.
FIND OUT MORE
Smishing (SMSs)
Smishing is short for 'SMS phishing'. This is when fraudsters send an SMS pretending to be an organisation asking for financial or personal information.
FIND OUT MORE
Impersonation Scams
Impersonation scams involve criminals pretending to be trusted individuals or representatives from reputable organisations with the aim of stealing your money or personal and confidential information.
FIND OUT MORE
Quishing (Malicious QR Codes)
Quishing, or QR code phishing, is a scam where criminals use malicious QR codes to trick people into visiting their fake websites, downloading malware onto their devices, sharing personal information or stealing your money.
FIND OUT MORE
Social Engineering
Social engineering is a tactic used by scammers to influence or deceive a victim in order to steal their personal/ financial information or money, or to gain control over a system. It is about about using your behaviour and what you share with the world against you, and exploits your trust. A common tactic by scammers is to create a fake profile and then befriend potential victims, taking great interest in their social lives. They use this connection to gain access to your life and information.
FIND OUT MORE
Crypto Scams
Scammers create fake online investment trading platforms and investment houses, or crypto exchanges with the intention of stealing your money. They create professional looking marketing material and share posts on social media platforms to entice interest - promising fantastic returns for little investment. Their fake websites or mobile applications are designed to impress with technical layouts that imitate legitimate trading platforms.
FIND OUT MORE
Business Email Compromise
Business Email Compromise (BEC) is a sophisticated tactic where scammers impersonate high-ranking company officials or trusted partners through email or other messaging platforms to trick employees into making payments or sharing private and confidential business information.
FIND OUT MORE
Loan/ Debt Collector Scams
A loan scam is when a criminal deceives an individual into applying for fake loans. The scammers request personal and confidential information which is later used for other criminal activities.
FIND OUT MORE
Advanced Fee Scams
This is when scammers trick victims into paying upfront fees, usually for discounted goods or services, with the promise of a prize, large payoff, or a gift that needs to be delivered, or even an inheritance that needs to be distributed.
FIND OUT MORE
Investment Scams
Scammers create the illusion of amazing investment opportunities that will help you improve your financial status.
FIND OUT MORE
Phishing (Emails/Websites)
Phishing emails ask users to click on a link in the email. This link will direct them to a 'spoofed' website (a fake website that very closely resembles the original site) to obtain, verify or update contact details or other confidential information, including financial information.
FIND OUT MORE
Money Mules
Fraudsters often trick people into letting them use their bank accounts to receive money from illegal activities - such as fraud, corruption, drug sales, smuggling, or even human trafficking. This tactic, known as money laundering, hides their identity by making transactions look legitimate.
FIND OUT MORE
Online Shopping Scam
Online shopping and e-commerce channels have grown tremendously in the last few years as more and more people are turning to it for the convenience it offers in a fast-paced world, as well as the amazing deals you can find online. However, this has also created various opportunities for scammers to gain access to your information or to steal your hard-earned cash.
FIND OUT MORE
Push Payment Fraud
Push payment fraud is when a person is tricked into authorising a real-time transfer of funds to a scammer impersonating a trusted organisation, like a bank representative for example.
FIND OUT MORE
Remote Access Scams
You are contacted by a scammer posing as a service provider that is known to you. They request 'remote access' to your device to do a security check, update or transaction.
FIND OUT MORE
Vishing (Phone Calls)
Scammers phone individuals posing as a representative from an established organisation like a bank, mobile service provider, insurer, retailer, government body or even the police. This is also known as voice phishing or vishing.
FIND OUT MORE
Ancestry Scams
These scams involve using a person's desire to connect with their heritage or cultural beliefs. Scammers create fake inheritance scenarios or fictitious ancestral demands from a sangoma (traditional healer).
FIND OUT MORE
Commodity Scams
A commodity scam is a sophisticated scheme involving raw materials like agricultural products, precious metals, or energy.
FIND OUT MORE
Employment Scams
Employment scams target people who are looking for jobs or employment opportunities. Scammers create fake job posts to lure people in, only to steal their money or personal information.
FIND OUT MORE
Smishing (SMSs)
Smishing is short for 'SMS phishing'. This is when fraudsters send an SMS pretending to be an organisation asking for financial or personal information.
FIND OUT MORE
Impersonation Scams
Impersonation scams involve criminals pretending to be trusted individuals or representatives from reputable organisations with the aim of stealing your money or personal and confidential information.
FIND OUT MORE
Quishing (Malicious QR Codes)
Quishing, or QR code phishing, is a scam where criminals use malicious QR codes to trick people into visiting their fake websites, downloading malware onto their devices, sharing personal information or stealing your money.
FIND OUT MORE
Social Engineering
Social engineering is a tactic used by scammers to influence or deceive a victim in order to steal their personal/ financial information or money, or to gain control over a system. It is about about using your behaviour and what you share with the world against you, and exploits your trust. A common tactic by scammers is to create a fake profile and then befriend potential victims, taking great interest in their social lives. They use this connection to gain access to your life and information.
FIND OUT MORE
Crypto Scams
Scammers create fake online investment trading platforms and investment houses, or crypto exchanges with the intention of stealing your money. They create professional looking marketing material and share posts on social media platforms to entice interest - promising fantastic returns for little investment. Their fake websites or mobile applications are designed to impress with technical layouts that imitate legitimate trading platforms.
FIND OUT MORE
Business Email Compromise
Business Email Compromise (BEC) is a sophisticated tactic where scammers impersonate high-ranking company officials or trusted partners through email or other messaging platforms to trick employees into making payments or sharing private and confidential business information.
FIND OUT MORE
Loan/ Debt Collector Scams
A loan scam is when a criminal deceives an individual into applying for fake loans. The scammers request personal and confidential information which is later used for other criminal activities.
FIND OUT MORE

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HOW TO STAY SAFE

Romance Scams

How To Spot It

What To Do

HOW TO STAY SAFE

Loan/ Debt Collector Scams

Advanced Fee Scams

Investment Scams