How to report a romance scam in Ireland
Key facts
| Who to report to | Any Garda station |
|---|---|
| In an emergency | Call 999 or 112 |
| Garda Confidential line | 1800 666 111 |
| If money has gone | Contact your bank first |
Romance scammers are patient and convincing, and anyone can be targeted. Knowing the signs, and who to call, makes it much easier to act quickly and without embarrassment.
Know the warning signs
Gardaí say scammers push to move off the dating site, ask lots of questions but dodge yours, use pet names early, bring up money problems and cancel plans to meet at the last minute. If you see several of these, slow down.
Source: An Garda Síochána: Fraud, checked 8 November 2026
Report it at any Garda station
You can walk into any Garda station to report romance fraud. Gardaí have asked people harmed through dating apps to come forward and say reports are handled sensitively and in confidence.
Source: An Garda Síochána: romance fraud investigation appeal, checked 8 November 2026
Ring your bank quickly
If you think money has been taken from your account, Gardaí advise contacting your bank first, then reporting any crime to your local station. The sooner the bank knows, the better.
Source: An Garda Síochána: Fraud, checked 8 November 2026
Questions
Should I report it if I did not lose any money?
Yes. Gardaí have asked anyone affected by dating app fraud to come forward, and it helps protect others. You can also report the profile to us so a person can review it.
Will I be embarrassed?
Gardaí say they treat these reports sensitively and in confidence. Scammers are skilled, and being taken in says nothing about you.
What should I never do?
Never send money, gift cards or bank details to someone you have not met, however good the reason sounds. Keep chats on the site until you are sure.