Romance Scam

The digital version of marriage fraud is known as "romance scam" or "love scam”. 

In this type of fraud, fake profiles are created on social media and online dating sites in order to make other people believe the fraudster is in a romantic relationship with them and ultimately to obtain financial benefits from the "partner". 

Specific measures

• Report the matter to the cantonal police responsible for your place of residence. They will then initiate the
  necessary investigations. You can search for police stations in your area and their telephone numbers on
  the Suisse ePolice website: https://www.suisse-epolice.ch/#/search-station (in French, German, Italian).
• Stop contact with the fraudster completely and block him or her on all channels.
• If you are contacted by other supposed "authorities" (e.g. INTERPOL, foreign police authority, a victim's
  lawyers, etc.), do not respond.
• Discuss the matter with a person you trust and seek psychological help if the issue is very distressing.
• If you have financial problems, contact the debt counselling centre in your canton. 
  

Preventive measures

• Do not send money or goods to people you do not know and have never met before. 
  

Effects and risks

• Financial damage
• Psychological stress
  

Further Information

• Further information is available from Swiss Crime Prevention:
  https://www.skppsc.ch/de/themen/internet/romance-scam/ (Only available in German, French or Italian) 
  

Last modification 22.02.2021