National Anti-Scam Centre taskforce report highlights value of joint effort to tackle romance scams — How to Identify & Stay Safe

INDIA — By BharatSecure Threat Intelligence Team · Updated May 25, 2026

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Beware Romance Scams in India 2026: National Anti-Scam Centre Highlights Joint Fight Against Love Fraud

Romance scams are surging across India, tricking thousands into emotional and financial losses through fake online relationships on social media and dating apps.

What Is the National Anti-Scam Centre Taskforce Report Highlighting Joint Effort to Tackle Romance Scams?

Romance scams are a form of relationship fraud where scammers create fake profiles on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and dating sites to build emotional connections and then exploit victims financially. The National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC), in its latest 2026 taskforce report, has stressed the importance of a coordinated approach involving law enforcement agencies, social media companies, banks, and cybercrime watchdogs to fight these scams more effectively.

In India, millions turn to online platforms for companionship, especially post-pandemic when social interactions have gone digital. Unfortunately, cybercriminals exploit this by targeting vulnerable individuals—often middle-aged and senior citizens, but increasingly younger adults too—who seek genuine relationships. Reports from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) reveal a rising number of complaints related to romance scams, with victims suffering losses ranging from a few thousand rupees to crores.

Both CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) and RBI have issued advisories cautioning users against sharing personal details with strangers online and warned banks to be vigilant about transactions linked to such frauds. The RBI advisory reminds users that UPI and other instant payment methods once used fraudulently are hard to reverse, making prevention critical.

How This Scam Works — Step by Step

1. Initial Contact: The scammer sends a friend request or message using fake profile photos—often attractive images sourced from the internet—to Indian users on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, or dating apps. They may use common Indian names and fabricated stories about their background to seem credible.

2. Building Trust: The scammer initiates friendly chats, frequently discussing personal interests, dreams, and hardships. They patiently build a connection, sometimes over weeks or months, to gain emotional trust.

3. Developing Romance: They express feelings of love or deep affection and suggest plans to meet in person. This emotional bond lowers the victim’s guard.

4. Crisis Creation: Soon, the scammer invents an urgent financial crisis—medical emergencies, travel hurdles, business problems, or legal troubles. These stories often involve Indian contexts, like needing money to get out of police custody abroad or to pay hospital bills in a metro city.

5. Requesting Money: The victim is asked to send money via UPI payments, mobile wallets, or bank transfers to “help” their new partner. Scammers may also suggest opening joint accounts or giving access to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts for “safe transactions.”

6. Continuous Exploitation: Once the victim sends money, scammers create more excuses to extract additional funds. They may also coax victims into sharing OTPs or personal details for “verification,” which are then misused for further fraud.

7. Disappearance: After the money stops coming or the victim grows suspicious, the scammer cuts off communication completely, deleting profiles or blocking the victim.

Real Warning Signs to Watch For

• Profile Details Don’t Add Up: Fake photos, inconsistent stories, or reluctance to video call.
• Quick Romantic Advances: Expressing love too soon without physically meeting.
• Requests for Money: Early or repeated financial help requests, especially for emergencies.
• Pressure Tactics: Urgency or emotional blackmail to get funds fast.
• Inconsistent Contact Methods: Asking to switch from a social platform to WhatsApp or private messaging.
• Avoiding Real-Life Meetups: Always canceling or postponing planned meetings.
• Requesting Confidential Info: Asking for OTPs, Aadhaar scan, or bank details “for verification.”

What Happens to Victims

Romance scam victims in India often face severe financial and emotional damage. Financially, the losses can erode lifetime savings. Since UPI payments are instant and mostly irreversible, once money is sent, getting it back is near impossible. Fraudsters sometimes commit SIM-swap attacks to intercept OTPs or misuse Aadhaar data to impersonate victims, causing additional identity theft risks.

Emotionally, victims suffer guilt, shame, and trust issues affecting future relationships. Many hesitate to report the crime due to embarrassment. Some lose not just money, but also access to bank accounts or mobile numbers if scammers take over their credentials.

What RBI and CERT-In Say

The RBI has explicitly warned consumers about frauds involving digital payments linked to romance scams. It advises banks to strengthen customer verification and alert customers in case of suspicious transactions. The RBI helpline can be reached at 1800-112-565 for assistance.

CERT-In, the cybersecurity agency under the Ministry of Electronics and IT, regularly issues alerts about phishing and social engineering tactics used in romance scams. It recommends users avoid sharing sensitive data online and immediately report suspicious activity. CERT-In’s Indian Cyber Crime Helpline (Number 1930) is the first point of contact for victims to report cyber fraud cases.

Both bodies emphasize that early detection and reporting are the best defenses, as reversed fund transfers via UPI or NEFT remain legally complicated and slow.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Verify Profiles: Use reverse image search tools to check profile pictures’ authenticity.
2. Don’t Rush Relationships: Genuine relationships take time; beware of fast-moving romance online.
3. Never Send Money to Strangers: Avoid transferring funds without meeting or verifying identities.
4. Avoid Sharing OTPs or Aadhaar Info: Never disclose sensitive info under any pretext.
5. Use Official Platforms Carefully: Stick to reputed dating sites that verify users; be cautious on social media.
6. Report Suspicious Profiles: Flag and block fake accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
7. Stay Updated on Alerts: Follow CERT-In and RBI advisories for latest scam methods.

What to Do If You’ve Been Targeted

1. Stop Further Transactions: Do not send more money or share confidential details.
2. Report the Fraud Immediately: Call the Indian Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930 and file a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in with all evidence.
3. Contact Your Bank and UPI Provider: Inform them about the fraud and request account monitoring or temporary freeze.
4. Change Your Mobile Number or SIM if Needed: Especially if you suspect SIM swap attacks.
5. Inform CERT-In Via Their Portal: For technical support and guidance.
6. Reach Out to RBI’s Helpline: For advice on protecting your bank accounts and digital transactions.
7. Seek Emotional Support: Talk to trusted friends, family, or counselors to handle emotional distress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do romance scammers usually contact victims in India?
A: Scammers most commonly reach victims through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and popular dating apps. They create fake profiles and start conversations by sending friend requests or direct messages.

Q: Can I get my money back if I was scammed via UPI or bank transfer?
A: Unfortunately, UPI payments and direct bank transfers are mostly irreversible once completed. Prevention and early reporting to the police and banks are crucial for minimizing losses.

Q: Is it safe to video call someone I met online to confirm their identity?
A: Video calling can help verify the person’s identity and reduce risk. Scammers often avoid or make excuses to evade video calls, which is a common red flag.

Romance scams prey on the human desire for connection, but knowledge is your strongest defense. If you receive suspicious messages or friend requests promising love and then asking for money, pause and verify carefully. Stay alert and protect yourself by checking suspicious profiles at BharatSecure.app — we help you spot scams and keep your heart and wallet safe.