The romance scam: weeks of chat, then the request for money
Someone met online chats for weeks and builds a bond. One day a problem comes up that only money can fix. Here is how the scam works, how to spot it and what to do.
Also called: romance scam, dating scam.
How it works
- The scammer makes a profile with someone else's photos, on a dating app or social media.
- They chat every day for weeks, build trust and promise to meet.
- Then comes a fee for a gift held at customs, a ticket or a hospital bill.
Where it usually starts: dating app, social media, messaging app.
How it arrives on Bipe. Simulation with sample people and messages.
How to spot it
- The person never takes a video call.
- They live far away or always travel for work.
- The request for money is urgent and emotional.
What to do
- Never send money to someone you only know online.
- Search for the profile photo with an image search.
- Already paid? Talk to your bank, ask for MED and file a police report.
How Bipe helps
Each item shows where it stands on iPhone and Android.
Scam warnings
A warning shows under a message that looks like a scam, such as a rushed Pix, a new number or a boleto. It is on by default, with nothing to set up.
iPhone: In the test app · Android: In development
A pause before paying
On a suspicious money request, copy and pay stay locked for 5 seconds, to break the scam's rush.
iPhone: Coming soon · Android: Coming soon
Verified seal
A seal with a name verified through Pix or gov.br, so you know who is on the other side.
iPhone: Coming soon · Android: Coming soon
What Bipe does not solve here
It is a slow scam that takes weeks. The warning shows on the request for money, but it will not convince someone who already trusts the person.
Bipe only protects the chats that happen in Bipe. If someone in the family still uses another app, a scammer can write to them there.
Who describes this scam
Official pages with the scam's script and what to do.
- Glossário de Tipologias de Fraudes e Golpes Digitais (Ministério da Justiça e Segurança Pública e Febraban (Aliança Nacional de Combate a Fraudes Bancárias Digitais))
- Dia dos Namorados: PCPR alerta para golpes amorosos e orienta sobre formas de prevenção (Governo do Paraná (Polícia Civil do Paraná))
- Delitos praticados por meios eletrônicos: perguntas e respostas (Polícia Civil do Estado de São Paulo)
Other common scams
- Fake relative
- Taken number or account
- Fake bank call centre
- Pix and fake boleto
- Fake shop
- Threats with your data
- Fake acquaintance
- "I sent you a code by mistake"
- Fake lawyer
- Fake government body
- Fake delivery fee
- Fake job and task scam
- Fake support
- Fake second-hand sale
- Fake buyer and fake receipt
- Fake rental
- Wrong Pix
- Fake boleto
- Fake loan
- Fake investment
- Betting and "tigrinho"
- Fake link
- Phantom hand and fake app
- SIM swap
- Fake kidnapping
- Sextortion
- Group chat scam
- Fake fundraiser
Where these numbers come from
Researched on 13 October 2026. We only use numbers that have a source. Surveys by a company or a private association are marked as such.
- Glossário de Tipologias de Fraudes e Golpes Digitais (Ministério da Justiça e Segurança Pública e Febraban (Aliança Nacional de Combate a Fraudes Bancárias Digitais), 2025-10)
- Dia dos Namorados: PCPR alerta para golpes amorosos e orienta sobre formas de prevenção (Governo do Paraná (Polícia Civil do Paraná), 2026-06-12)
- Delitos praticados por meios eletrônicos: perguntas e respostas (Polícia Civil do Estado de São Paulo, 2021-01)