How a romance scam usually begins
According to the police, contact often begins on social media or a dating service. Soon the other person talks about a shared future and coming to Finland, but the trip is cancelled for ever new reasons. Video calls never work out. A large fortune or inheritance comes up in the conversation, and in the end money is asked for so that a larger transfer can be brought through, or for an emergency such as hospital costs.
The police sum it up in one sentence: only in the dictionary does money come before love. Once money has been sent, new obstacles and payment requests usually keep coming.
Warning signs
According to the Crime Victim Emergency Service (Rikosuhripäivystys) and the police, these are worth paying attention to:
- unsolicited contact from a stranger
- a respected profession, such as doctor, engineer or manager
- declarations of love and plans to move before you have met
- repeatedly failing video calls
- demands for money citing urgency, for example for customs duties, medical costs or an inheritance
- accomplices posing as bank or customs officials
- a request to keep the relationship secret or to transfer money on someone else's behalf
Protect yourself online
Never send money to a person you have not met, even in an emergency. Do not send intimate pictures, as they can be used for blackmail, and do not give out your personal identity code or other sensitive information. Victim Support Finland (RIKU) advises checking the profile picture with a reverse image search: if the same picture is found under other names, it is probably a scam.
Do not forward money you receive from strangers, as you may unknowingly take part in money laundering. Also do not invest in anything recommended by a stranger, even if the first returns look credible. Tell a trusted person about the situation, who can see it with an outsider's eyes. According to Victim Support Finland (RIKU), manipulated video and AI-generated images can also look credible.
Profile and privacy
Do not share your home address, workplace or other details that could be used to locate you on a dating service or in early messages. Use the service's own messaging feature for as long as possible, because suspicious profiles can be reported to the service's administrators. If someone pressures you to move quickly to another app, be careful.
According to the Crime Victim Emergency Service (Rikosuhripäivystys), a scam can also start with an investment tip: an unknown acquaintance recommends an investment whose first returns look good. You should not get involved in investments recommended by a stranger, even if the relationship feels trustworthy.
If you suspect a scam
The police and the Victim Support Finland (Rikosuhripäivystys) advise doing the following:
You can file a report of an offence through the police's online service. Attach screenshots of messages, details of bank transfers and the names and profiles used by the fraudster. The sooner the bank is informed, the better its chances of trying to stop the transfers. Being defrauded is nothing to be ashamed of, and you can get support even if no money was lost.
- Stop sending money and personal details immediately.
- Save the messages and record the phone numbers used.
- Contact the bank and close the accounts you suspect have been compromised.
- File a criminal report with the police.
- Seek support from the Victim Support Finland helpline on 116 006 (Mon–Thu 9–18, Fri 9–16).
- If a scam has caused debt, the municipality's free financial and debt counselling can help.
Safe first meeting
When you move from messaging to meeting, choose a public place with other people around, and tell someone close to you who you are meeting and where. Arrange your own transport so that you can leave whenever you want, and keep your phone charged. If the situation feels threatening, leave and, if necessary, call for help on the emergency number 112.
Those who have experienced intimate partner violence or the threat of it can get help from the Nollalinja helpline on 116 016. The service is free of charge and open around the clock. A person who has experienced sexual violence can go to a Seri support centre without a referral; according to THL there are 25 of them. Help is available within a month of the event, and for an adult a criminal report is not a condition for receiving help.
Dates with Date Radar
Date Radar gathers public and affordable date spots, such as museums, light festivals and public saunas. They suit a first meeting well, because there are other people around and the length of the meeting is easy to agree in advance.
Frequently asked questions
How can you spot a romance scammer?
Typical signs are rapid declarations of love, failing video calls, cancelled meetings and requests for money citing an emergency or an inheritance.
What do I do if I have sent money to a scammer?
Stop paying, contact your bank immediately, save the messages and file a criminal report with the police. Support is available from the Victim Support Finland helpline on 116 006.
Who can I call if my partner is threatening me?
In an emergency, call 112. The Nollalinja helpline supports people who have experienced intimate partner violence free of charge around the clock on 116 016.
Ready-made tools
- Wedding planner: budget, guests and schedule · Wedding budget, a guest list for 200, a 12-month task list and supplier payment instalments
Sources
- Police: Frauds and scams
- Police: Many ways to scam – the unofficial TOP10 of scams
- Crime Victim Emergency Service (Rikosuhripäivystys): Romance scam
- Zero line
- THL: Seri support centres for victims of sexual violence
The article is general information and does not replace the guidance of an authority, a lawyer or an adviser. Check up-to-date information from the sources.