How to Spot a Romance Scam on WhatsApp

WhatsApp is a brilliant way to keep in touch with family and friends, which is exactly why romance scammers love it. Getting someone off a dating app, where there are safety checks and reporting tools, and onto WhatsApp is often one of the first steps in a scam. Once there, a scammer can message privately, send photos and voice notes, and build a relationship away from anyone else’s view.

This guide explains why scammers move people to WhatsApp, the warning signs to look for, the newer tactics being used (including “wrong number” messages and investment groups), how to check whether a contact is genuine, the privacy settings that protect you, and exactly what to do if you think you’re talking to a scammer.

The short answer

Scammers often push to move from the dating app to WhatsApp very early.
Red flags: avoiding video calls, a story about working abroad, rapid declarations of love, and any mention of money or investments.
Be wary of friendly "wrong number" messages and invitations to investment groups.
Use WhatsApp's privacy settings to limit who can see your photo and details, and to silence unknown callers.
Never send money, gift cards or crypto to someone you've only met online.
If in doubt, stop, talk to someone you trust, call your bank (159), and report it.

Why scammers move you to WhatsApp

On a dating app, fake profiles can be reported and removed, and the service can spot suspicious behaviour such as copied messages or requests for money. On WhatsApp, none of those checks apply. Once they have your number, a scammer can:

message you at any time, privately
send photos, voice notes and short videos to seem genuine
avoid the dating site’s monitoring and moderation
keep in touch even if their dating profile is removed
contact you from different numbers if you block them

That’s why “Let’s chat on WhatsApp, I’m hardly ever on this app” is such a common line. It doesn’t always mean a scam, but it’s a reason to slow down.

The warning signs

Be cautious if someone on WhatsApp…

asked to move off the dating app within the first few messages

says they’re working overseas, in the military, on an oil rig, or travelling constantly

always has a reason why a video call won’t work

sends lots of affection, “good morning” messages and talk of the future very quickly

has a profile photo that looks professional or too perfect

tells stories with details that change

mentions a problem that money would solve, or an investment that’s “made them a fortune”

asks you to keep the relationship private from family or friends

asks for intimate photos

uses a number with an international code while claiming to live in the UK

How scammers use WhatsApp features

Scammers know WhatsApp well and use its features to seem genuine.

Voice notes. A voice note feels personal, but scammers can use pre-recorded clips, or voice notes from someone else. A voice note isn’t the same as a live video call.
Photos and videos. Stolen photos from social media or model websites, sometimes including “casual” shots to seem real.
Disappearing messages. Some scammers turn these on so evidence disappears.
Documents. Fake passports, military IDs, bank statements or customs forms to back up a story.
Links. Links to fake investment platforms, courier websites or payment pages.
Group chats. Invitations to “investment clubs” or trading groups, where other members (often also scammers) talk about their profits.

Newer tactics to know about

“Wrong number” messages

A friendly message arrives that seems meant for someone else: “Hi Sarah, are we still on for lunch?” When you reply to say they have the wrong number, they apologise charmingly and keep chatting. Over days or weeks, the conversation becomes a friendship, then a “relationship”, and eventually leads to money or an investment.

What to do: if you receive an unexpected message from a stranger, you don’t need to reply. If you do, don’t continue a chat with someone you don’t know.

Investment scams

Rather than asking for money for an emergency, the scammer introduces you to a trading or crypto platform. They may say an uncle or friend taught them. Your “profits” look real on the screen until you try to withdraw them, when you’re asked to pay “fees” or “taxes” first. This is sometimes called “pig butchering”.

What to do: never invest on the advice of someone you’ve met online. Check any investment firm on the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) register before sending money, and be very wary of cryptocurrency platforms recommended by a new contact.

Voice notes and short videos

Scammers may send pre-recorded clips to seem genuine, while still refusing a live video call. A pre-recorded video doesn’t prove who you’re talking to. A live video call, where you can talk to each other in real time, is far more reliable.

Fake emergencies

After weeks of chatting, the scammer suddenly has a crisis: an accident, a hospital bill, a stolen wallet, a frozen bank account, a customs fee. The emergency always needs money urgently, and there’s always a reason they can’t get it themselves.

A typical WhatsApp romance scam, week by week

This illustration is written by us and based on common patterns. It isn’t a real case.

Week 1: Linda, 62, matches with “Richard” on a dating site. His profile says he’s a widowed engineer working on a project in Dubai. Within a day, he suggests WhatsApp because he’s “rarely on the site”. She shares her number.
Week 2: Richard sends good-morning messages, voice notes and photos of his “work site”. He asks lots of questions about Linda’s life and remembers everything. When she suggests a video call, he says the internet on site is too weak.
Week 3: He tells her he’s fallen for her, and talks about retiring to the UK to be with her. He mentions his late wife and his daughter at boarding school.
Week 4: He says his project payment is delayed and he needs to pay local workers, or he’ll be stuck. He asks Linda to lend him £2,000, promising to repay it when he returns next month. He asks her not to mention it to her children, who “wouldn’t understand”.
Week 5: After she sends the money, a new problem arises: customs fees for his equipment. The amount is larger.

Where it could have been stopped: at the quick move to WhatsApp, at the refused video call, at the request for secrecy, and above all at the first request for money.

Why intelligent people fall for it

Romance scams aren’t about intelligence. They work because they target basic human needs: connection, affection and hope. Scammers:

invest time, so the relationship feels real and substantial
mirror your values and interests, so you feel deeply understood
create urgency, so you act before you think
isolate you, so no one else can offer a second opinion
escalate gradually, so each request seems small compared with the relationship

Many victims are educated, experienced and cautious in other parts of their lives. If it’s happened to you, it’s not a reflection of your judgement. It’s a reflection of how skilled and organised these criminals are.

Setting up WhatsApp for dating

If you plan to chat with matches on WhatsApp, a few changes make it safer:

Use a profile photo that isn’t on your dating profile or social media, so it’s harder to link your accounts.
Keep your “About” line general, without your full name, workplace or location.
Set last seen, profile photo and About to “My contacts”, and only save matches as contacts once you’ve met them or had a video call.
Limit who can add you to groups.
Turn on “Silence unknown callers”.
Consider a separate number for dating, such as a basic pay-as-you-go SIM, if you’d prefer to keep your main number private.

How to check if they’re real

Ask for a live video call. A genuine person will usually manage one within a week or two.
Reverse image search their photos with Google Lens or TinEye.
Search their name with the word “scam”.
Check the country code of their number. UK mobile numbers start +44 7. A different country code, when they claim to live in the UK, is a warning sign.
Ask specific questions about where they live or work, and see whether the answers stay consistent.
Ask a friend or relative what they think. It’s much easier to see the pattern from outside.

Protect yourself with WhatsApp settings

WhatsApp has privacy settings that make it harder for strangers to find out about you. In Settings > Privacy you can:

Choose who can see your profile photo, About and last seen (for example, only your contacts).
Control who can add you to groups, so strangers can’t add you to investment groups.
Turn on Silence unknown callers (under Calls) so calls from numbers not in your contacts don’t ring.
Turn off read receipts if you don’t want people to see when you’ve read their messages.
Run Privacy checkup to review everything in one place.

You can block and report a contact from within the chat. Tap their name, then choose Block or Report.

What to do if you’re worried

If you think it's a scam

Stop replying and don’t send any money.

Talk to someone you trust.

Call your bank straight away if you’ve paid anything. Many UK banks can be reached by dialling 159.

Report it to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at reportfraud.police.uk (England, Wales and Northern Ireland), or to Police Scotland on 101.

Block and report the contact in WhatsApp, and report their profile on the dating app where you met.

Keep evidence: take screenshots before blocking, including their number and profile.

Suspicious text messages can also be forwarded free to 7726.

Money sent by bank transfer

If you’ve sent money by bank transfer, you may be able to get it back under the UK’s reimbursement rules for scam payments. Contact your bank as soon as possible. See dating app scams targeting over-50s for details.

Blocking and reporting, step by step

The exact wording varies slightly between iPhone and Android, but the steps are similar.

Take screenshots first. Capture their profile, number and key messages, especially any requests for money. You may need these for your bank or the police.
Open the chat with the contact.
Tap their name at the top of the screen.
Scroll down and choose “Report” to send recent messages to WhatsApp for review. You can choose to block them at the same time.
Or choose “Block” if you just want to stop contact.
Report their dating profile on the site or app where you met.
If money is involved, call your bank and report to Report Fraud or Police Scotland.

Once blocked, they can’t call or message you from that number. Be aware that scammers sometimes try again from a new number. If an unknown number contacts you soon afterwards with a similar story, don’t engage.

Helping a parent or friend

Adult children and friends are often the first to notice something is wrong. If you’re worried that someone close to you is being scammed on WhatsApp:

Stay calm and curious. “He sounds lovely. Have you managed a video call yet?”
Avoid calling it a scam at first. People often defend the relationship if they feel judged.
Share this guide or the red flags, and let them draw their own conclusions.
Suggest a simple test: a live video call at a time you’re both there.
Ask directly about money: “Has he ever asked for money, or to invest?”
Offer practical help: checking the number, doing a reverse image search together, or calling the bank with them.
Keep the door open. Scammers try to isolate victims, so staying close matters more than winning an argument.

If they’ve already sent money, reassure them it isn’t their fault, and encourage them to contact their bank immediately. The sooner the bank knows, the more they may be able to do.

Other WhatsApp scams to know

While this guide focuses on romance scams, over-50s are also targeted by other WhatsApp scams, including “Hi Mum” or “Hi Dad” messages from someone claiming to be your child on a new number, and fake delivery or bank messages. The same rules apply: be wary of unexpected messages, never send money without checking directly by phone with the person concerned, and don’t click links from unknown contacts.

Is it ever safe to move to WhatsApp?

Yes. Plenty of genuine couples chat on WhatsApp. The safest approach is to wait until you’ve had a video call, or met in person, before sharing your number, and to check your privacy settings first. See when should you move from a dating app to WhatsApp? and should you give your phone number before a first date?

Genuine match or scammer? A quick comparison

Video calls: a genuine match will usually have a live video call within a week or two. A scammer keeps finding reasons not to.
Meeting: a genuine match wants to meet and suggests realistic plans. A scammer’s plans are always in the future, and something always gets in the way.
Pace: a genuine match lets feelings develop over time. A scammer declares love quickly.
Details: a genuine match’s story is consistent and checkable. A scammer’s details change or can’t be verified.
Money: a genuine match doesn’t ask for money, gift cards or investments. With a scammer, money comes up sooner or later.
Your friends: a genuine match is happy for you to tell friends and family. A scammer asks you to keep it secret.

If several of the scammer signs apply, stop, and talk to someone you trust before continuing.

Frequently asked questions

Can someone scam me just by having my number?

Having your number alone doesn’t give someone access to your money. The risk comes from what they persuade you to do: send money, share details or click links.

What if they send a video of themselves?

A pre-recorded video isn’t proof. Ask for a live video call where you can talk to each other.

Should I reply to “wrong number” messages?

You don’t need to. If you do, a brief “wrong number” is enough. Don’t start a conversation with a stranger.

Is WhatsApp safe to use for dating?

Yes, once you know who you’re talking to. The risk is moving to WhatsApp with someone you haven’t verified.

What if I’ve already sent money?

Call your bank immediately, report it, and stop contact. It’s not your fault.

Can I check an investment platform someone recommends?

Yes. Search for the firm on the Financial Conduct Authority’s register and warning list before you invest anything. If a new online contact is recommending a platform, treat it as a warning sign, whatever the register says.

Not sure about someone?

Our free Romance Scam Red-Flag Checker lets you tick the warning signs that apply to someone you’ve met online and explains what they can mean and what to do next. Nothing you tick is saved.

Related guides

Sources

WhatsApp Help Centre and WhatsApp Blog: privacy settings, Silence unknown callers and Privacy checkup.
City of London Police, Report Fraud guidance.