How online romance scams target teenagers — building fake relationships to extract money, personal information, or intimate images — and how to spot and stop them.
Teen Romance Scams is a scam in which someone builds a fake romantic relationship with a young person online in order to extract money, personal information, or intimate images.
A romance scam is when someone builds a fake romantic relationship online to exploit a young person. Unlike a standard scam offering a fake prize, it works by earning trust and affection first — often over weeks — before the manipulation begins. The 'partner' may then ask for money, gift cards, personal or banking details, or intimate images that are later used to blackmail. Teenagers, who are exploring relationships and may be less experienced at spotting manipulation, are increasingly targeted.
A scammer creates an attractive fake profile on social media, a game, or a dating app and starts a warm, intense relationship. They mirror the young person's interests, message constantly, and quickly say how special the connection is. Once trust is built, a 'crisis' appears — a stuck payment, a family emergency, a travel cost — and they ask for money or gift cards. In other cases the goal is intimate images, which then become a tool for sextortion. Requests to keep the relationship secret and to move to private apps are common warning signs.
In your child's behaviour
On their device
Talk about how manipulation feels, not just 'stranger danger'
Explain that scammers use love and attention as tools. A genuine partner won't rush intense declarations, demand secrecy, ask for money or images, or avoid ever video calling.
Set clear money and image rules
Agree that they never send money, gift-card codes, or intimate images to anyone they have only met online — no matter how strong the feelings or how convincing the emergency.
Keep the door open
Make it clear you won't be angry or take their phone away if a relationship turns out to be a scam. Fear of that reaction is exactly what keeps young people from asking for help.
In immediate danger: call 999. For non-emergency police matters, call 101.
Concerned about a child but it's not an emergency? NSPCC helpline 0808 800 5000. Childline for young people 0800 1111.
This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.
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Last reviewed: 2026-07-02