A troubling trend is emerging where students are falling prey to romance scams on dating apps, leaving them vulnerable to blackmail. But experts and advocates are urging victims not to stay silent—reaching out to a trusted friend or support network can be a crucial step in avoiding further harm.

Editor’s Note: Romance scams aren’t just emotionally damaging—they can escalate into blackmail, leaving victims feeling trapped and ashamed. This story matters because it highlights a growing threat to young people online while offering a simple but powerful solution: speaking up. Keeping quiet often makes things worse, but a quick conversation could be the difference between danger and safety.