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Money · Ireland
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 An Garda Síochána (garda.ie); romance fraud is organised crime and every report helps. Crime Victims Helpline — 116 006 (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 firstAn Garda Síochána
Report toCrime Victims Helpline — 116 006
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 An Garda SíochánaOnline where possible. Your report connects to hundreds of others using the same photos and accounts.
  5. Talk to Crime Victims Helpline — 116 006Free, confidential, no judgement. This happens to careful, intelligent people every day.

📇 All contacts

An Garda SíochánaReport at any station or via the Garda websiteAlways — you need the PULSE reference for the bank🔗 www.garda.ie/en/crime/fraud
Crime Victims Helpline — 116 006Free victim support, information on the process, compensation tribunalAfter any crime📞 116 006🔗 crimevictimshelpline.ie
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
Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO)Free, binding complaints against banks, lenders and insurersAfter a final response from the provider, or 40 working days📞 01 567 7000🔗 www.fspo.ie

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