They promise relationships but ask for money: Mykolaiv region warned about a scam

A scam scheme in which perpetrators befriend women on social networks and hint at possible romantic relations is once again gaining popularity. The fraudsters gradually win the interlocutor’s trust and then begin to ask for money. The police of the Mykolaiv region reported this on June 29, 2026.

The perpetrators actively court women, pay compliments, show interest in communicating, and promise serious relationships. At the same time, they tell fabricated stories about their lives. Most often the scammers present themselves as foreign military personnel, doctors, sailors, or employees of international organizations who are supposedly far from home.

To be convincing, the scammers send other people’s photos and maintain communication for a long time, gradually winning the woman’s trust. When the interlocutor begins to trust the new acquaintance, he reports alleged difficult life circumstances and asks for financial assistance.

In particular, scammers may ask to pay for:

• delivery of a parcel with gifts;
• document processing;
• medical treatment or a vacation;
• relocation to Ukraine;
• other fabricated expenses.

After receiving the money, the scammers stop communicating or invent new reasons to postpone an in-person meeting, continuing to extort funds.

The police urge not to trust strangers whose communication takes place only online, and to be critical of any requests for financial assistance. Law enforcement also advises not to send money to people you have never met in person, to verify the information received, and not to make financial decisions under the influence of emotions.

If you suspect anything, you should stop communicating. If you have become a victim of fraud or have information about such cases, you should contact the police at 112 or 102.