Social Media Romance Fraud Response Toolkit
Introduction
Romance fraud and online scams are increasingly being conducted via fraudulent social media profiles. Fraudsters create fake personas to build trust, manipulate victims emotionally, and exploit them financially or personally. Unlike dating platforms, where users actively seek relationships, social media platforms facilitate broader interactions, making them a prime target for scammers.
1. Recognising Fraudulent Profiles on Social Media
Most social media users reporting fraudulent profiles do not have access to human support, as many platforms rely on automated systems. This toolkit provides guidance on effective automated and human responses, helping to ensure that victims are supported and fraudulent activity is addressed.
Scammers on social media often use tactics that differ slightly from those on dating apps. Common signs include:
- Newly created or sparsely populated accounts – Few posts, little engagement, or a sudden influx of friends/followers.
- Stolen images or AI-generated profile pictures – Reverse image searches may reveal duplicate photos.
- Fake celebrity or influencer impersonation – Claiming to be a well-known figure engaging personally with users.
- Unrealistic interactions – Rapidly forming deep connections with multiple users.
- Requests to move conversations off-platform – Encouraging users to switch to private messaging apps.
- Investment advice or financial talk on profiles – Setting the scene for fraud.
- Financial requests – Claiming they need money for an emergency or promoting ‘too good to be true’ investment opportunities. These are unlikely to happen on your platform.
2. Automated Responses for Fraud Reports
When a victim reports a fraudulent profile, automated responses should be:
Acknowledging the report:
✔️ “Thank you for reporting this account. We take user safety seriously and will review the profile as soon as possible.”
Encouraging additional safety measures:
✔️ “We recommend blocking the reported account and avoiding further communication. If the account asked for money or personal information, consider reporting it to law enforcement.”
Providing external support resources:
✔️ “If you believe you have been targeted by fraud, you are not alone. You can seek guidance from trusted fraud prevention organisations such as [Insert Relevant Organisation].”
Avoid dismissive or unclear automated responses like: ❌ “This does not violate our community guidelines.” (Instead, clarify why and how users can provide additional evidence.)
3. Human Support for Escalated Cases
Some fraud reports require human intervention, especially when:
- The victim has lost money or shared sensitive information.
- The reported profile is part of a larger scam network.
- The victim is experiencing distress, harassment, or ongoing manipulation.
DO say:
✔️ “We understand how distressing this experience can be. You are not alone, and we want to support you.” ✔️ “Scammers use sophisticated techniques, including stolen identities and AI-generated content, to make their accounts appear real.” ✔️ “We have removed the reported profile and will continue monitoring for similar activity. Please let us know if you encounter any further concerns.” ✔️ “Would you like us to provide additional safety resources or guidance on next steps?”
AVOID saying:
❌ “Why did you interact with them?”
❌ “There’s nothing else we can do.”
❌ “This happens a lot; you should be more careful.”
4. Supporting Victims Post-Fraud
After confirming a fraudulent profile, social media platforms should:
- Remove or flag the account – Block it and investigate related accounts.
- Provide victims with safety resources – Share fraud prevention tips and links to fraud reporting agencies.
- Encourage reporting to authorities – Guide victims on how to report the scam outside the platform.
- Offer additional security options – Suggest enabling two-factor authentication and reviewing privacy settings.
5. Strengthening Platform Safety Measures
Social media companies can enhance fraud prevention by:
- Improving verification systems – Encouraging ID verification for high-risk profiles.
- AI-driven scam detection – Identifying and removing fraudulent activity faster. AI should be used for facial recognition with photos to automatically remove multiple profiles using the same face, especially where the legitimate user is verified.
- User education – Posting regular scam awareness content.
- Transparent reporting processes – Making it clear how reports are handled.
- Investing in human review teams – Ensuring critical cases receive human oversight.
Final Thoughts
Effective fraud response on social media balances automation with human intervention. Platforms must ensure that users feel heard, protected, and empowered when reporting scams.
By implementing clear reporting structures, supportive communication, and proactive security measures, social media can become a safer space for all users.
Trust matters. Safety matters. How we respond matters.