What evidence to keep for a romance-scam report

Start with relevance, not volume

The FBI lists repeated avoidance of in-person meetings and pressure to leave the dating platform as reasons for caution. As your own editorial choice, save the messages that show that pattern rather than your entire chat history. In your notes, record the visible date and time beside each saved message so the record is clear. A caution sign is one observation to describe accurately, not proof of intent. [FBI: Romance Scams]

• Save only messages that illustrate your specific concern, such as repeated avoidance of meetings or pressure to leave the app.
• Add a one-line note of the visible date and time on each saved message.
• Keep a short index so a reader can follow the order.

Record a money request separately, then act on payment

The FTC notes that romance scammers may build trust and then request money. If you have already paid, the FTC advises contacting the payment company or bank promptly and reporting the account; these two steps belong together and are more time-sensitive than further profile searching. Save the specific message where money was requested, with the visible date and time, and treat it as one observation to report privately rather than as proof of identity or intent. Do not send more money to test or confirm anything. [FTC: What To Know About Romance Scams] [FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed] [FBI: Romance Scams]

• Screenshot the message showing the amount and method requested.
• Note the visible date and time.
• Contact the payment company or bank promptly and report the account if money was sent.
• Do not send more money to test or confirm anything.

Save public profile links and images as observations

The FTC suggests searching a profile photo for inconsistent reuse. If a photo-search tool is available to you, note only what the result shows and treat it as an inconclusive observation; a reused photo can have innocent explanations. Availability varies by country and device. As editorial recordkeeping, copy the public profile URL and save the page as it appeared, with the name shown beside it. A name-photo pairing does not prove identity. Do not access private accounts or track anyone's location. [FTC: What To Know About Romance Scams]

• Write down the exact public URL and the date you accessed it.
• Take a full-screen screenshot showing the profile name and photo together.
• Treat a pairing or a reuse result as an inconclusive observation, not proof of identity or dishonesty.

Your payment receipts

If you sent money, keep your own receipts, transaction numbers and statements as personal records, redacting account numbers not needed for the report. Editorially, keep only records of what you sent and when. For the urgent step, the FTC advises contacting the payment company or bank promptly and reporting the account; that pair of actions matters more than any further collecting. [FTC: What To Know About Romance Scams] [FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed]

• Save receipts as clear PDFs or photos.
• Add a one-line note for each payment: date, amount and method.
• Contact the payment company or bank promptly and report the account.

Private reporting is not a public accusation

As editorial guidance, reporting to a dating platform, your bank or an official agency is a private process. A public post naming someone is an accusation that can be difficult to correct if facts are incomplete, and platform handling of reports may not match your expectations. Share records only with the appropriate private channel, keep a copy of what you submitted, and do not contact the person's friends, family or employer or publish private details.

• Use the platform's report form and attach only the relevant files.
• If unsure where to report, start with the platform and, if money was sent, contact the payment company or bank.
• Keep a copy of what you submitted and the date.

A hypothetical worked example

This is a hypothetical illustration, not a real case and not a test of anyone. Imagine Alex met a person on a dating app. Over time the person avoided video calls and asked Alex to send money for a bill; the FBI describes repeated avoidance of meetings and pressure to leave the platform as caution signs, and the FTC notes scammers may request money. Alex saved three screenshots: the avoided meetings, the money request and the public profile page. Alex also saved the receipt for a transfer already sent, contacted the bank, and reported the profile to the app. Alex did not post about the person online. The story is illustrative only, not a checklist that proves guilt. [FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed] [FBI: Romance Scams]

• List the key events in order with the dates you have.
• Keep a plain-text timeline of your files so a reader can follow.
• Stop collecting once the relevant records are gathered.

Decide what to keep and when to stop

The table below is editorial guidance, not a test of guilt. It separates what you can observe, the limits of that evidence and the action it supports. Stop collecting once you have the messages showing your concern, the public profile link and any payment receipt, then move to reporting rather than continuing to search.

Organize the report without repeating yourself

As editorial guidance, keep it short. One folder for messages, one for public links and one for receipts, named with the date of the event, is usually enough. Attach only the files relevant to your concern. Nothing in the files proves guilt or predicts an outcome, so stop gathering once your short set is complete.

• Create one folder for messages, one for public links and one for receipts.
• Name each file with the date of the event.
• Submit only the files relevant to your concern.

A couple more questions