romance scams

Love at First Byte

Professor Shelldon's charming online pen pal Coralina suddenly needs money for a plane ticket. Bubbles and Zola investigate the mystery and uncover the pattern behind online friendship and romance scams.

Coming soon

This episode is on its way to YouTube.

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Today's rule: Never met in person? Never send money.

What kids learn

  • Never met in person? Never send money
  • Fake photo, no video, an emergency = scam
  • Tell someone you trust
Quiz time

Can you get them all?

An online friend you've never met asks for money in an emergency. What do you do?
Which is a red flag for an online friend?
For parents & teachers

Talk about it together

  • Talk with older relatives about online friends who end up asking for money.
  • Explain reverse image searches and why scammers borrow photos.
  • Teach children: online friends who ask for money, photos or secrets get reported to a grown-up.
  • Agree that nobody sends money or gift cards to someone they've only met online.
Read more

Online Friends Who Ask for Money: Spotting the Pattern

Romance and friendship scams are slow. The scammer spends weeks being kind and attentive, then an emergency appears that only money can fix.

Read the full guide →