Which of the following is a typical travel-related request in romance scams?

• A. Travel expenses to visit the victim
• B. They invest in legitimate businesses
• C. They pay taxes for the victim
• D. They fund charitable donations

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that romance scams often hinge on emotional manipulation and a convincing in-person meeting excuse. A typical travel-related request is for money to cover travel costs so the scammer can come to visit the victim—airfare, visas, lodging, and other travel fees. They present the trip as essential to proving the relationship and often pressure you with a quick deadline, making the request feel urgent and legitimate. This pattern works because it ties the emotional bond to a tangible, high-cost action, which can make the victim more willing to send funds.

Other motives you might hear in scams—like investing in legitimate businesses, paying taxes for the victim, or funding charitable donations—don’t center on traveling to meet you. They reflect different scam angles and don’t reflect the travel-to-visit tactic that characterizes romance scams. If someone you’ve just met online quickly asks for money to travel to you, treat it as a red flag, verify independently, and avoid sending funds.