How to avoid online romance scams and fake friendships

Online friendships and relationships can be real and happy. But some people create fake profiles to win your trust and then ask for money. This is called a romance scam.

How it usually goes

1. A friendly stranger contacts you, with attractive photos and a sad or impressive story.
2. They move quickly to calling you "dear" or "love" and ask you to switch to a private chat.
3. They always have a reason why they cannot meet or appear on a video call.
4. A problem appears: a sick relative, a stuck parcel, a business emergency.
5. They ask for money, gift cards, airtime or banking details.

Warning signs

• Love or deep friendship after very few days
• A profile that looks too perfect
• Excuses to avoid live video
• Any request for money, even small amounts
• Pressure to keep the relationship secret

How to protect yourself

• Do a reverse image search of their photos.
• Ask for a live video call.
• Never send money, passwords, OTPs or private photos to someone you have not met.
• Talk to a trusted friend about the relationship.

If you have been scammed

Stop sending money, keep the chat records, tell your bank, and report to the platform and the relevant authorities. Do not be ashamed, since these scammers are skilled and many people are caught.

Written by the EarnNaija team at EarnNaija Digital Technologies.

This article is general information, not financial or legal advice. Earnings are never guaranteed. See our fees page for the exact costs.