← FFCheckWho do I contact?IT
Money · Italy
Updated September 2026

💔 Someone I met online is asking me for money — is it a scam, and who do I tell?

Direct answer

If a person you have never met in real life asks for money — for a ticket, a customs fee, a medical bill, an investment — it is a scam, without exception. Stop sending, keep the conversation as evidence, and report it to Polizia di Stato / Carabinieri — denuncia (112) (112); romance fraud is organised crime and every report helps. Rete Dafne / Sportelli per le vittime di reato (retedafne.it) offers free, confidential support — the shame keeps people silent, and that is what the scammers count on. Call Your bank — card and payment line the same day to recall what can still be recalled.

Call firstPolizia di Stato / Carabinieri — denuncia (112)
Report toRete Dafne / Sportelli per le vittime di reato
If that failsYour bank — card and payment line

🗣️ What to say

"Since [date] I have been in contact with [name] on [platform]. They asked me for money for [reason] and I sent [amount] to [account / service]. I now believe this is fraud and want to report it. I have the messages and the payment details."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Do not send more, do not confrontConfrontation makes them switch to threats or a "friend" who will help you recover. Simply stop.
  2. Save the evidenceProfile, photos, chat export, payment receipts, the accounts you paid to. Reverse-image-search the photos — they are usually stolen.
  3. Bank firstAsk for a recall on transfers and a dispute on card payments. Gift cards and crypto are usually gone; say so anyway, the bank logs the recipient.
  4. Report to Polizia di Stato / Carabinieri — denuncia (112)Online where possible. Your report connects to hundreds of others using the same photos and accounts.
  5. Talk to Rete Dafne / Sportelli per le vittime di reatoFree, confidential, no judgement. This happens to careful, intelligent people every day.

📇 All contacts

Polizia di Stato / Carabinieri — denuncia (112)Report at any police stationTheft, robbery, threats, stalking📞 112🔗 www.poliziadistato.it
Rete Dafne / Sportelli per le vittime di reatoVictim support, freeAfter any crime🔗 www.retedafne.it
Your bank — card and payment lineRecall a transfer, chargeback, block a card, freeze the accountImmediately, 24/7 — the number is on the back of your card
Polizia Postale — Commissariato di P.S. onlineOnline reporting of scams, phishing, cybercrimeFor online scams and phishing📞 113🔗 www.commissariatodips.it

❓ Frequently asked

Can I get the money back?

Sometimes a transfer can be recalled within a day; card payments can be disputed. Money sent as crypto, cash or gift cards is almost always lost.

They sent me money to pass on

Stop immediately and tell the bank — that is money laundering, and you would be the "mule" in the police file.

I am embarrassed to report it

The report is confidential. Not reporting is the outcome the scammers want; reporting is how the next person gets a warning.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “romance scam report Italy”
  • “online dating asked for money scam”
  • “dating fraud money back”
  • “romance scam support Italy”
  • “is this person a scammer”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

💎Crypto scam→💳Scammed online→⚡Energy bill dispute→🎯Phishing message→

Your tools for Italy

Before it goes wrongCan I?What is allowed, what is not, which permit you need — with the official source.Energy · ItalyElectricity & gasThe rules that protect you as an electricity and gas customer in Italy, and who to contact. Every fact is checked on an official source.Recognise it firstIs dit veilig?Check a phone number, website or message against 47,000 scam dossiers.