Recognizing scams

Most people on Kilig are here to meet someone real. A small number are not. Scammers can be patient, charming, and convincing, so knowing the warning signs is one of the best ways to protect yourself.

The golden rule: never send money, gift cards, crypto, or financial information to someone you've met on Kilig, no matter the reason.

Common red flags

Be cautious if someone:

• Asks for money in any form. This includes gift cards, wire transfers, payment apps, cryptocurrency, or "just covering a fee."
• Pitches an investment. Watch for talk of crypto trading, foreign exchange, gold, or a "guaranteed" platform they'll teach you to use. Links to unfamiliar trading apps or websites are a major warning sign.
• Rushes you off Kilig. They want to move to text, email, or another messaging app right away, often before you've learned much about each other.
• Won't video chat. They always have an excuse: a broken camera, bad connection, or a job that won't allow it.
• Has a dramatic story. A sudden emergency, a medical bill, a stuck shipment, or legal trouble that only money can fix.
• Says they're far away. Common stories include being deployed overseas in the military, working on an oil rig, or traveling for an international job.
• Moves fast. Intense declarations of love or talk of a future together within days.
• Messages you "by mistake." A "wrong number" text that turns into a friendly chat is a classic setup.
• Has a profile that doesn't add up. Photos that look like a model shoot, inconsistent details, or answers that feel scripted.

One red flag doesn't always mean a scam, but a few together should make you pause.

How Kilig helps

• Automated screening. Our systems look for patterns common in scams, such as requests for money or links to suspicious sites. If something looks risky, you may see a warning banner in your chat.
• Verification badges. A photo-verified badge means the person took a live selfie that matched their profile photos. An ID-verified badge means a trusted provider checked their government ID. Learn more in Verify your profile.
• Human review. Our Trust & Safety team reviews reports and removes scam accounts.

Badges and screening help, but they can't catch everything. Your judgment matters too.

Protect yourself

1. Keep conversations on Kilig until you trust someone. Our safety tools work only here.
2. Video chat before meeting. Use voice and video calls once you've both sent a message. Your phone number stays private.
3. Check their photos. A reverse image search can show whether photos appear elsewhere under a different name.
4. Don't click unfamiliar links or download apps someone sends you.
5. Never share your passwords, banking details, Social Security number, or one-time codes.

If you think you're being scammed

1. Stop replying. You don't owe anyone an explanation.
2. Don't send anything, even if they pressure or threaten you.
3. Report them. Open the chat, tap •••, choose Report, and select Scam, money, or crypto request. The conversation is attached automatically. See Report someone.
4. Block them in the same step.
5. If you've already sent money, contact your bank or payment provider right away. In the US, you can also report fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

Being targeted by a scam is never your fault. Scammers are skilled at what they do. Reaching out quickly is the best thing you can do.

Related articles

• Report someone
• Block someone
• Verify your profile
• Safety Center