CRYPTOCURRENCY SECURITY · ROMANCE SCAMS · 4 MIN READ

A person you meet online may appear caring, trustworthy, and genuinely interested in building a relationship. Over time, however, conversations can shift toward cryptocurrency, investing, or financial opportunities.

This is the pattern behind many romance crypto scams.

Fraudsters build emotional trust and then use that relationship to persuade victims to send cryptocurrency, invest through fraudulent platforms, or transfer digital assets to wallets they control.

At Canva Recovery Team (CRT), we help clients assess the available evidence surrounding suspected cryptocurrency fraud, including cases involving online relationships.

How Romance Crypto Scams Work

These scams often develop gradually rather than beginning with an obvious request for money.

1. The Relationship Begins

The scammer may approach the victim through:

• Dating applications
• Social media
• Messaging platforms
• Online communities

They may communicate regularly and create the impression of a genuine relationship.

2. Cryptocurrency Enters the Conversation

Eventually, the person may begin discussing cryptocurrency or an investment opportunity.

They might claim to have experience trading digital assets or introduce the victim to a supposedly profitable platform.

3. The Victim Is Encouraged to Invest

The scammer may encourage an initial cryptocurrency transfer.

A fake platform may then display profits, creating the appearance that the investment is succeeding.

Seeing these apparent returns can encourage the victim to deposit more.

4. Withdrawal Becomes Impossible

Problems often appear when the victim attempts to withdraw the supposed profits.

The platform may demand additional payments for:

• Taxes
• Withdrawal fees
• Account verification
• Security deposits
• Compliance charges

The victim may be told that one final payment will release everything.

Sending additional funds can increase the loss.

Warning Signs

Be cautious if someone you met online:

• Quickly develops an intense relationship with you
• Avoids meeting through normal channels
• Introduces investment opportunities unexpectedly
• Claims to have a secret or guaranteed trading strategy
• Directs you to a specific cryptocurrency platform
• Encourages you to send cryptocurrency to a personal wallet
• Becomes increasingly insistent about additional payments
• Says you must keep the investment confidential

A genuine relationship should never require you to send cryptocurrency simply to prove trust or commitment.

If You Have Already Sent Cryptocurrency

Do not send additional funds simply because the person promises that another payment will unlock your account or recover your investment.

Instead, preserve the available evidence.

Keep:

• Wallet addresses
• Transaction hashes
• Screenshots
• Dating profiles
• Usernames
• Emails and messages
• Website addresses
• Payment records
• Investment account information

Do not delete conversations, even if they are difficult to revisit. They may provide important context for an investigation.

How Canva Recovery Team Can Help

At Canva Recovery Team, our team can examine available blockchain and digital evidence surrounding suspected cryptocurrency fraud.

Depending on the circumstances, an assessment may include:

Blockchain transaction analysis — reviewing relevant transactions and wallet activity.

Evidence documentation — organizing communications, screenshots, payment records, and other supporting information.

Transaction tracing — documenting the movement of relevant cryptocurrency after the reported transfer.

Case assessment — helping clients understand what the available evidence establishes and what may require further investigation.

We do not promise guaranteed recovery. Each case depends on its evidence, transaction history, applicable procedures, and other circumstances.

Beware of a Second Scam

Romance scam victims may also become targets for fake recovery services.

Never give a supposed recovery agent your seed phrase, private keys, passwords, or authentication codes.

Be especially cautious of anyone who guarantees recovery or demands cryptocurrency upfront to “unlock” your stolen funds.

Start With the Evidence

If someone you trusted persuaded you to send cryptocurrency and you now believe you have been defrauded, preserving the evidence is an important first step.

Canva Recovery Team provides blockchain investigation, evidence documentation, and digital asset recovery support based on the facts available.

Recover What Matters. Pursue the Evidence.

[Request a Confidential Case Assessment →]

Canva Recovery Team provides investigative and documentation support based on available evidence. Recovery cannot be guaranteed.