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Money · Germany
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 Polizei — Onlinewache (polizei.de); romance fraud is organised crime and every report helps. WEISSER RING (116 006) 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 firstPolizei — Onlinewache
Report toWEISSER RING
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 Polizei — OnlinewacheOnline where possible. Your report connects to hundreds of others using the same photos and accounts.
  5. Talk to WEISSER RINGFree, confidential, no judgement. This happens to careful, intelligent people every day.

📇 All contacts

Polizei — OnlinewacheOnline report, reference number immediatelyAlways — the basis for bank, insurer and platform🔗 www.polizei.de/Polizei/DE/Einrichtungen/Onlinewache/onlinewache_node.html
WEISSER RINGVictim support: advice, accompaniment, compensationAfter any crime📞 116 006🔗 weisser-ring.de
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
Schlichtungsstelle bei der Deutschen Bundesbank / BankenverbändeFree dispute resolution with banks and payment providersAfter complaining to the bank without a solution🔗 www.bundesbank.de/de/service/schlichtungsstelle

❓ 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 Germany”
  • “online dating asked for money scam”
  • “dating fraud money back”
  • “romance scam support Germany”
  • “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→

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