Scam Recovery

How to File a Romance Scam FBI Report at IC3

By , Founder and Lead Investigator · Active casework since 1999 ·

The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center is the primary federal reporting point for romance scams in the United States. Filing correctly — with the right information in the right fields — determines whether your complaint contributes to an active investigation or sits unread. Here is how to do it properly.

Quick answer

What does the FBI do with romance scam reports?

IC3 complaint data is analysed for patterns — scammer names, wallet addresses, phone numbers, and payment accounts that appear across multiple complaints are flagged for investigation. When the volume of complaints against a specific operation reaches a threshold, it triggers a coordinated federal response that can include subpoenas to exchanges, interpol notices, and indictments. Your individual report contributes to this aggregate intelligence picture.

IC3 also forwards complaints to law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction based on the scammer's location and payment method. Complaints involving cryptocurrency are reviewed by the FBI's Virtual Asset Unit, which coordinates directly with exchanges. You will receive an automated confirmation with a complaint reference number — keep this for your records and for any civil litigation.

Filing Your IC3 Complaint: Step by Step

  1. Go to ic3.gov and select "File a Complaint." Do not use any third-party site claiming to submit IC3 complaints on your behalf — file directly.
  2. Select the correct crime type. Choose "Romance Scam" or "Confidence / Romance Fraud" from the dropdown. If cryptocurrency was involved, also select "Cryptocurrency Fraud."
  3. Enter the scammer's information. Include every name they used, every phone number, every email address, every social media profile URL, and every wallet address they provided. More detail is always better.
  4. Document the financial losses precisely. Enter each transaction separately — date, amount, payment method, and the exact account or address you sent funds to. IC3 uses this data to link cases involving the same receiving accounts.
  5. Describe the fraud in the narrative field. Write a clear, chronological account: how you met, how long the relationship lasted, when and how the financial requests began, and what reasons were given. Include any documented inconsistencies in the scammer's story.
  6. Attach all documentation. IC3 accepts file attachments — submit screenshots of the scammer's profile, conversation logs, payment confirmations, and any photos they sent you. Reverse image search results showing stolen photos are particularly valuable.
  7. Record your reference number. Save the confirmation page and the reference number. You will need this for follow-up with banks and other agencies.

After You File: What to Expect

You will receive an automated confirmation email with your complaint reference number. In most cases you will not receive further direct contact from the FBI — this is normal and does not mean your complaint was ignored. IC3 analysts review every complaint and tag patterns manually. If your complaint is linked to an active investigation, investigators may contact you for additional information — this contact will always come from an @ic3.gov or @fbi.gov email address, never from a personal address or phone number.

File also with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, your state attorney general, and your local police department for a local police report number. These additional filings create records in different systems and support different enforcement paths.

Identify the Scammer — Professional Investigation

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