Dating Scam Detector — Clive Thompson

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Dating Profile
Scam Detector

Romance scams cost victims billions of dollars every year. Answer a few honest questions about someone you've met online and paste your conversation — we'll analyse the red flags and give you a risk score.

Your privacy is protected All analysis happens locally in your browser. Nothing you type here is sent to any server or stored anywhere.

13 Questions Conversation Analysis Instant Risk Score

Section 1 of 5 — How You Met25%

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How You Met & Identity

Tell us how this person came into your life and what you know about their identity.

Question 1 of 13

Where did this person first contact you?

A mainstream dating app (Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, etc.)Normal
Social media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn)Minor concern
An online game, forum, or chat platformSome concern
Out of the blue — WhatsApp, SMS, or email I didn't expectRed flag

Question 2 of 13

Have you ever video called with them in real time?

Yes, multiple times — it looks natural and liveGood sign
Yes, once briefly — but the quality was poorMinor concern
No — they say they have no camera or bad connectionRed flag
No — they always have excuses to avoid videoStrong red flag

Question 3 of 13

How do their photos look?

Normal, casual everyday photosNormal
A bit too polished or professionalMinor concern
Very professional, model-like — almost too attractiveRed flag
I've reverse-image searched and found them under other namesCritical red flag

Question 4 of 13

Have you met this person in real life?

Yes, we have met in personVery reassuring
No, we only just started talkingNormal
No — they live far away but we've talked about meetingMinor concern
No — they always cancel or make excuses when I suggest meetingRed flag

Section 2 of 5 — The Relationship50%

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The Relationship & Their Story

Scammers often use emotional manipulation to build trust very quickly.

Question 5 of 13

How quickly did they express strong romantic feelings?

Gradually and naturally, over monthsNormal
Within a few weeks — a bit fast but not alarmingSlightly fast
Within days — said they never felt this way beforeRed flag
Almost immediately — they were "in love" within hours or a dayClassic scam tactic

Question 6 of 13

Do they have a dramatic backstory?

Scammers often use specific narratives to justify why they can't meet and why they need help.

No unusual or dramatic storyNormal
Divorced or widowed — but nothing dramatic beyond thatMinor flag
Claims to be military overseas, on an oil rig, or a doctor abroadKnown scam narrative
Widowed tragically + has a young sick child + working far awayClassic scam profile

Question 7 of 13

Do they use excessive pet names very early in the relationship?

Terms like "darling", "my love", "sweetheart", "dear" used from day one can be a sign of scripted messages.

No — they call me by my nameNormal
Occasionally, and only after we got closerFine
Yes — from early on, constantly calling me darling/sweetheart/dearRed flag

Section 3 of 5 — Money & Requests70%

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Money & Personal Requests

This is the most important section. Financial requests are the primary goal of romance scammers.

Question 8 of 13

Have they asked you for money or financial help?

No, neverGood
They've mentioned financial difficulties but haven't asked directlyWarning — this often comes before an ask
Yes, once — for a relatively small amountStrong red flag
Yes, multiple times or for a large amountAlmost certainly a scam

Question 9 of 13

If they've asked for money, what payment method did they want?

If they haven't asked for money, select the first option.

They haven't asked / just a standard bank transferNormal
Gift cards (iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, etc.)Classic scam method — impossible to trace
Wire transfer, Western Union, or MoneyGramUntraceable — favourite of scammers
Cryptocurrency / BitcoinUntraceable — favourite of scammers

Question 10 of 13

Have they asked for sensitive personal or financial information?

No, neverGood
General questions — where I live, my job, etc.Normal in early dating
Yes — bank details, credit card numbers, ID documents, or passwordsIdentity theft risk

Section 4 of 5 — Communication Patterns85%

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Communication Patterns

Scammers often operate from scripts, messaging many victims at once. This shows in how they communicate.

Question 11 of 13

Do their messages feel genuine and personal, or generic?

Very personal — they clearly remember details I've told themGood sign
Mostly personal but sometimes a bit off-topic or genericMinor concern
Often feel like they could have been sent to anyoneRed flag
Almost always generic — like copy-pasted textStrong red flag

Question 12 of 13

Are there contradictions or inconsistencies in what they've told you?

E.g. saying they live somewhere but later mentioning another city, different job details, changing their age.

No — their story has always been consistentGood
Minor inconsistencies that could be innocent mistakesWorth noting
Yes — significant contradictions that don't add upRed flag

Question 13 of 13

Do they avoid answering direct questions or deflect?

E.g. you ask "Where exactly do you live?" and they change subject or give a vague answer.

No — they answer my questions clearly and directlyGood
Sometimes — but usually they come back to it laterMinor concern
Often — they deflect, change subject, or get upset when I askRed flag

Section 5 of 5 — Conversation Analysis95%

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Paste Your Conversation (Optional)

Copy and paste some or all of your conversation below. We'll scan it for known scam phrases, financial requests, and manipulation tactics. This step is optional — skip it if you prefer.