Kazakh police warn against rushed online love confessions amid growing romance scams

Tengrinews.kz – The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan has issued a warning to citizens about a surge in online romance scams, where fraudsters pose as foreigners looking for love on social media.

According to police, these scammers often initiate contact under the guise of being European men—such as “passionate Italians” or “charming Spaniards”—and quickly engage their victims in an emotional whirlwind: compliments, love declarations, and even talks of marriage.

But soon after, the storyline changes.

"One woman in Astana lost over 9 million tenge after falling for someone she had only spoken to online," police reported.

The scammers usually claim they are facing urgent problems and ask for financial help, playing on sympathy and romantic promises. Victims are often pressured into sending money, documents, or valuable items.

To avoid heartbreak and financial loss, police recommend watching out for the following red flags:

• Unrealistically fast declarations of love
• Refusal to join a video call or meet in person
• Emotional manipulation and dramatic life stories
• Requests for money transfers, documents, or valuables

Authorities urge anyone who suspects they are being targeted by such scammers to report it immediately.