Nuku’alofa – The National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) has issued a nationwide warning following a continued rise in romance scams that are targeting vulnerable members of the community, particularly through social media and online messaging platforms.
In an official public notice released on Thursday, the central bank said scammers are increasingly using false identities to establish emotional connections with victims before manipulating them into sending money or sensitive financial information.
“These scams typically involve individuals who do not genuinely know or have seen the person they are communicating with,” the NRBT said. “The scammers exploit emotions, build fake romantic relationships, and gradually gain trust before financially defrauding their victims.”
The NRBT urged the public to remain vigilant and outlined several warning signs commonly associated with romance scams.
Among the most frequent red flags are scammers expressing strong feelings of love or affection after only a few days of communication, followed shortly by requests for money. These requests are often linked to fabricated emergencies, medical expenses, travel costs to visit the victim, or fees required to release a supposed parcel or gift.
The bank also highlighted that scammers typically avoid face-to-face meetings or video calls, offering repeated excuses such as working overseas, on an oil rig, in the military, or being deployed or travelling. Victims may also notice pressure to move conversations off mainstream platforms like Facebook Messenger to private apps such as WhatsApp, Viber, or other encrypted services.
Another major red flag includes requests for payments through unusual or untraceable methods, including cryptocurrency, gift cards, or international wire transfers. In some cases, scammers may propose business or investment opportunities that promise unusually high or guaranteed returns, or claim that a valuable gift is on its way but requires a “fee” to be paid before delivery.
What Not to Do
The NRBT strongly advised the public never to send money, bank details, or debit and credit card information to anyone they have only met online.
“Do not share personal or financial information, including passwords or banking details,” the bank warned. “Do not believe quick-rich schemes, inheritance claims, or secret investment opportunities, and do not trust caller identification alone, as scammers can spoof local phone numbers.”
Anyone who believes they may have fallen victim to a romance scam is urged to act immediately by contacting their bank to block accounts or cards and prevent further financial loss. Victims are also encouraged to report the incident to the Tonga Police Cybercrime Unit.
The NRBT said public awareness and vigilance remain the strongest defenses against online fraud, particularly as scammers continue to evolve their methods and exploit emotional vulnerabilities.
For further information or advice, the public is encouraged to contact the National Reserve Bank of Tonga on (+676) 24057, email nrbt@reservebank.to, or visit www.reservebank.to
