Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 22,013 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
5,810 results
in Romance Scams
observernews.net
· 2025-12-08
In 2022, Americans lost nearly $9 billion to scams and fraud, with seniors being particularly vulnerable targets, according to FTC reports. The Community Foundation Tampa Bay, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, and Men's Club of Sun City Center partnered to present a free educational seminar on March 5 featuring speakers who covered common scams including charity fraud, lottery schemes, romance scams, and grandparent scams, while providing prevention strategies and resources to protect older adults from financial exploitation.
whio.com
· 2025-12-08
A Central Florida woman lost approximately $600,000 of her life savings to a romance scam in which a scammer impersonated Elon Musk, convincing her she was in a relationship and investing money with him through wire transfers, ATM withdrawals, and gift card purchases. The victim's daughter brought the story to light to raise awareness, noting that romance scams targeting older, divorced women are underreported; the FTC documented $1.3 billion in romance scam losses nationally in 2022, though experts believe actual losses are significantly higher. Victims are advised to report such scams immediately to the FBI, FTC, and the relevant social media platform.
tahawultech.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Romance scammers increasingly target online dating and social media users by creating fake profiles to build relationships and extract money through manipulation. In 2021 alone, approximately 24,000 Americans lost nearly $1 billion to romance fraud, while the UK reported £92 million in losses; scammers use increasingly sophisticated tactics including deepfake technology and AI-generated content. Key warning signs include love bombing, persistent excuses to avoid in-person meetings, escalating money requests, and requests for explicit photos; individuals should verify contacts through reverse image searches, use privacy settings, and avoid sharing personal information or money with online contacts.
citinewsroom.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian socialite Mona Faiz Montrage (known as Hajia4Real) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to receive stolen money from romance scams targeting older Americans and agreed to pay over $4.3 million in total restitution and forfeiture ($2.16 million to victims and $2.16 million to U.S. authorities). Montrage was arrested abroad and knowingly laundered proceeds stolen from vulnerable elderly victims through fake romantic relationships, with sentencing to follow before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty.
uk.style.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This is not an article about fraud, scams, or elder abuse. The text is a standard cookie and privacy consent notice from Yahoo regarding data collection practices on their websites and apps. It does not contain information relevant to the Elderus database and therefore cannot be summarized as requested.
gbcghanaonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Social media influencer Hajia4Real (Mona Faiz Montrage), a 31-year-old from Ghana, pleaded guilty to conspiring to receive stolen money derived from romance scams targeting older, single Americans between 2013 and 2019. She agreed to forfeit and provide restitution of $2,164,758.41 and faces a maximum five-year prison sentence for this count, though she was originally charged with multiple fraud and money laundering offenses carrying up to 20-year sentences. According to prosecutors, she received funds through bank accounts she controlled that victims were tricked into sending via false pretenses involving gold transport payments, fake FBI investigations
africanews.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian socialite Mona Faiz Montrage (Hajia4Reall) pleaded guilty to conspiring to receive stolen money in a $2 million romance scam targeting older Americans, and agreed to forfeit and make restitution of $2,164,758.41. She was extradited from the United Kingdom in May 2023 and faced charges for her role in an operation that used fake identities and various pretenses—including false gold transport and fake FBI investigation claims—to defraud vulnerable elderly victims.
skepchick.org
· 2025-12-08
Charlotte Cowles, a financial advice columnist for The Cut, lost $50,000 to a government impersonation scam in which she received a phone call spoofed to appear from Amazon, was transferred through fake FTC and CIA contacts, and was instructed to withdraw cash, place it in a shoebox, and hand it to an "undercover agent." The scam succeeded despite being transparently fraudulent—involving obvious red flags like being told not to inform her husband and to conduct the handoff immediately—partly due to Cowles' lack of financial literacy despite her advice columnist role and her apparent overconfidence that she was not a typical scam victim.
soaps.sheknows.com
· 2025-12-08
A Chicago woman lost over $80,000 to a romance scam in which a con artist impersonated actor Taylor Kinney from the TV show Chicago Fire. The scammer, whom the woman met on a fan website, gradually escalated requests for money over a year-long period, using manipulative emotional language and guilt to drain her savings, 401(k), and car equity. The case highlights a broader problem: the FTC reported 64,003 romance scam victims in 2023, with scammers commonly posing as celebrities or other figures to exploit victims' emotions and trust.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian social media influencer Mona Faiz Montrage pleaded guilty to conspiring to receive proceeds from romance scams targeting vulnerable older Americans between 2013 and 2019. Montrage, who operated the Instagram account "Hajia4Reall" with 3.4 million followers, received over $2 million in fraudulent funds through bank accounts used by a West African criminal enterprise that deceived victims into believing they were in romantic relationships and sending money under false pretenses. She agreed to forfeit and pay restitution of approximately $2.16 million and faces up to five years in prison at sentencing.
myheraldreview.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams targeting elders are at an all-time high, with the FTC reporting that older adults are increasingly targeted because they often have retirement savings and may be isolated or less tech-savvy. In 2022 alone, romance scams resulted in $1.3 billion in losses, more than double the previous year, as scammers manipulate emotions by creating fake profiles, building trust over time, and eventually requesting money or financial information that victims rarely recover. The article provides protective measures including consulting trusted friends before sending money, verifying identities through video chat, being wary of love-bombing tactics, and reporting suspected fraud to the FTC and FBI.
lrt.lt
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers in Lithuania defrauded hundreds of people of over 1 million euros in a coordinated scheme targeting lonely individuals, particularly elderly women, who believed they were communicating with military officers or sailors online. Banks recorded 350 confirmed cases last year, with victims losing significant amounts across multiple financial institutions (Swedbank: 300,000 euros from 148 customers; Luminor: 380,000 euros; SEB: 154,000 euros from 45 customers). Many victims delay reporting due to shame and embarrassment, allowing fraudsters to retain stolen funds, and banks emphasize that money requests from online romantic contacts should be treated as a major warning sign.
asaaseradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian Instagram influencer Mona Faiz Montrage (Hajia4Real) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to receive stolen money for her role in laundering proceeds from romance scams targeting vulnerable older Americans between 2013 and 2019. She was extradited from the UK and admitted to receiving over $2.1 million stolen from victims through fake romantic relationships, and has agreed to forfeit and pay restitution of $2,164,758.41, facing up to five years in prison.
oxfordmail.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Nationwide Building Society issued a warning after data revealed romance scams involving men increased 40% in 2023, with victims averaging £8,181 in losses compared to £10,610 for women. The scams involve criminals building false online relationships and using emotional manipulation to request money, with nearly two in five male victims aged 50-70, though one in five were aged 20-30. Nationwide recommends keeping conversations on secure dating platforms, researching online contacts, refusing money requests, and consulting trusted friends and family as key preventative measures.
madisoncourier.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau of Greater Kentucky and South Central Indiana identified 10 prevalent scams in February, including romance scams, wage garnishment schemes, fake business listings, impersonation of law enforcement, fraudulent surveys, reshipping employment schemes, fake government benefits calls, Facebook account deactivation phishing, solar panel fraud, and government grant scams. The BBB advised consumers to verify companies before transactions, never pay with gift cards or wire transfers, avoid clicking unsolicited links, and refrain from providing personal information to unverified callers or unsolicited online contacts. Consumers are encouraged to check bbb.org before making purchases and to recognize that legitimate agencies never demand payment by phone.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In summer 2022, 80-year-old Alice Lin lost over $700,000 of her life savings to a "pig butchering" scam after a fraudster on WeChat convinced her to download a fake cryptocurrency trading app and wire money over a three-week period. Lin sued Chase Bank in January 2024, claiming the bank failed to flag suspicious transaction patterns (seven large wire transfers totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars) and protect vulnerable elderly customers, citing California law that holds institutions liable for assisting fraudulent transactions against seniors. Chase disputes the claim, stating employees asked probing questions and warned Lin of fraud risks before completing the transfers.
messengernewspapers.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Nationwide Building Society reported that romance scams involving men increased by 40% in 2023, with victims aged 50-70 representing 39% of male cases, though younger men (20-30) accounted for 20% of reports. Women victims lose significantly more money on average (£10,610 vs. £8,181 for men), with scammers building false trust relationships before requesting money through emotional manipulation. Nationwide advises keeping conversations on verified dating platforms, researching online contacts thoroughly, and consulting trusted friends and family before sending money or personal details to anyone not met in person.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A South Hills woman lost $10,000 in a sophisticated Bitcoin scam after receiving a fake "hacking alert" pop-up that directed her to call a number where scammers impersonating Microsoft and bank representatives claimed her account was compromised and threatened her with child pornography charges. Pittsburgh police reported at least three victims in total, including two women in their 70s who lost $22,000 and $7,000 respectively through the same scheme, which exploited urgency and fear to pressure victims into withdrawing cash and purchasing Bitcoin. Police warned that scammers use legitimate-sounding company names and call transfers to appear credible, and advised that once cryptocurrency money is transferred, recovery
proactiveinvestors.com
· 2025-12-08
Tinder launched advanced ID verification across the US, UK, Brazil, and Mexico requiring video selfies matched against government-issued IDs to combat surging romance scams, with verified profiles receiving blue checkmarks. Romance scams increased 22% in the UK in 2023 with average losses of £6,937 per victim, while the US saw nearly 70,000 reported cases in 2022 with losses exceeding $1.3 billion, a problem compounded by AI-generated fake profiles. Though the verification tool showed a 67% increase in matches during Australian and New Zealand trials, the FTC notes that 40% of romance scam victims report initial contact occurred on
9to5mac.com
· 2025-12-08
**Romance Scams via Dating Apps**
Tinder is expanding identity verification features (combining video selfies with passport/driver's license images) to the US, UK, Brazil, and Mexico to combat romance fraud, where criminals impersonate attractive people, build trust through excessive attention, and then request money for travel or emergencies before disappearing. A pilot program in Australia and New Zealand showed verified accounts received 67% more matches, incentivizing users to complete the optional verification process.
stories.td.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost Canadian victims over $50 million in 2023, with fraudsters building trust over weeks to years before requesting money for emergencies, business ventures, or cryptocurrency investments. While seniors are frequently targeted, anyone—particularly those who are lonely or vulnerable—can fall victim to these scams that occur across dating apps and social media platforms. Key prevention strategies include being cautious of quick professions of love, avoiding in-person meetings, refusing personal information requests, and understanding that sent money is often irretrievable.
ky3.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational awareness piece about romance scams. The article alerts viewers to how scammers use romantic relationships and emotional connections to defraud victims, though specific case details or dollar amounts are not provided in the excerpt.
wftv.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
A central Florida woman's elderly mother lost approximately $600,000 in a romance scam that began on social media, where a scammer impersonated Elon Musk and convinced her she was engaged and investing money with him. The victim made large wire transfers exceeding $100,000 and daily $3,000 ATM withdrawals for gift cards before her daughter discovered the fraud in early 2023. The FTC reported $1.3 billion in romance scam losses nationally in 2022, with experts noting such scams disproportionately target older, divorced women seeking companionship.
baltictimes.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Approximately 350 romance scam cases were recorded in Lithuania in 2023, with victims attempting to transfer over 1 million euros to fraudsters, though banks were able to stop some transactions. Vulnerable victims included lonely individuals and those with poor digital hygiene skills, particularly elderly women seeking relationships online who were targeted by scammers impersonating military personnel. Banks report that recovery is difficult because victims often delay reporting due to shame and embarrassment, and experts recommend vigilance against money transfer requests from online contacts as a key prevention measure.
bnnbloomberg.ca
· 2025-12-08
This article is not about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It primarily discusses job losses at Algoma Steel in Ontario and includes unrelated business news about gold prices, central banking, and trade tariffs. It does not contain information relevant to an elder fraud research database.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Tinder is expanding ID verification requirements, including mandatory video selfies and valid government ID submission, to combat rising dating app crimes such as romance scams and violent crimes. The FTC reported that 70,000 people lost $1.3 billion to romance scams in 2022, with 19% originating on dating apps, and U.S. citizens in Colombia were particularly targeted for drugging, robbery, and murder through platforms like Tinder. The new verification system, successfully piloted in Australia and New Zealand, will roll out across the US, UK, Mexico, and Brazil in the coming weeks and months.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Two older Pittsburgh women lost a combined $29,000 in a tech support scam where fraudsters impersonated Apple customer service representatives and convincing them their devices were hacked, pressuring them to purchase Bitcoin at local convenience stores. A 70-year-old victim withdrew $22,000 and a 72-year-old victim purchased $7,000 in Bitcoin after being transferred between scammers posing as Apple and bank fraud specialists. Pittsburgh police are investigating and warn the public that legitimate tech companies never contact customers about device problems or ask them to call numbers or click links, recommending victims report incidents to local police or the FTC.
businesstimes.com.sg
· 2025-12-08
Singapore reported a record 46,563 scam cases in 2023, representing a 46.8% increase from 2022, with victims losing S$651.8 million. Job scams were the most prevalent (9,914 cases; S$135.7 million lost), primarily targeting those aged 30-49 through WhatsApp and Telegram offers of work-from-home tasks, while fake friend call scams surged to 6,859 cases (S$23 million lost), disproportionately affecting adults aged 50-64. Contrary to common assumptions, 73% of victims were under age 50, with malware scams
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Donna Kendall from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, lost over $1 million to a romance scam after becoming lonely following her husband's dementia diagnosis in 2022. She was deceived by someone claiming to be a wealthy businessman named Martin Erickson who posed as a romantic interest and requested money for shipping equipment, leading her to make multiple wire transfers and eventually sell her home. The scam strained her relationship with her son Ken Martasin, who was unable to convince her of the fraud despite intervention from specialists and authorities, and she died at a hotel shortly after the incident.
freep.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, consumers reported losing a record $10 billion to fraud and scams—a 14% increase from 2022—according to FTC data, with 2.6 million fraud reports filed nationwide and approximately 700,000 people reporting financial losses. Common scams included romance fraud, fake bank and tech support calls, and impersonation schemes, with criminals exploiting digital payment methods including bank transfers ($1.86 billion) and cryptocurrency ($1.41 billion). Michigan consumers alone lost $151.7 million to fraud in 2023, with a median loss of $410 per victim.
thenelsondaily.com
· 2025-12-08
"Sugar dating" scams target young people seeking financial support by luring them with promises of allowances and gifts; scammers typically pay victims with fraudulent cheques and then request donations to fake charities they control, leaving victims unable to recover funds when cheques bounce. A Pitt Meadows post-secondary student was approached on Instagram by someone claiming to be a wealthy sugar momma offering $500 weekly in exchange for phone calls, but became suspicious when pressured to donate to an orphanage. The Better Business Bureau recommends potential sugar dating participants set clear boundaries, verify payment methods in advance, diversify income sources, and recognize red flags like pressure tactics and suspicious charity requests.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Singapore reported a record high of 46,563 scam cases with victims losing $651.8 million, marking a 46.8 percent increase in cases from 2022 despite public warnings. Job scams were the most prevalent fraud type, followed by e-commerce scams (which more than doubled), with 73 percent of victims aged below 50, contrary to assumptions that elderly people are most vulnerable. The police attributed most scams to organized criminal groups operating transnationally and noted that 19 scam syndicates were dismantled in 2023 through international cooperation.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
The Orange County Sheriff's Department issued a February 2024 awareness advisory warning residents about romance scams and various other fraud schemes, noting that scammers manipulate victims into believing they're in committed relationships to steal money and that criminal tactics evolve constantly. The advisory identified eight common scam types including text phishing, online employment fraud, tech support scams, and impersonation schemes (involving fake tax, utility, warrant, and arrest claims), and advised victims of financial fraud to immediately report incidents to their financial institutions and request new accounts.
securityboulevard.com
· 2025-12-08
Online dating platforms are increasingly vulnerable to AI-driven romance scams, with cybercriminals using generative AI to create ultra-realistic fake personas with convincing messages, images, and audio to deceive users and steal money and personal information. Research from Darktrace shows a 135% increase in novel social engineering attacks, particularly around Valentine's Day when online dating activity peaks. Both individual users and dating platforms should implement protective measures, including limiting personal information sharing, recognizing signs of AI-generated content, refusing money requests from online contacts, and utilizing identity verification and fraud detection tools.
abc13.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers are using AI-generated images and deepfake videos to defraud vulnerable victims seeking online relationships, with one man losing nearly $60,000 after being convinced to make an investment by a fake AI woman. Experts recommend detecting AI-generated scammers by asking personalized follow-up questions, looking for unnaturally smooth speech patterns, paying attention to inconsistencies in appearance (too-perfect skin, looping backgrounds), and noting reluctance to engage in real-time video calls or off-the-cuff conversations. If suspicions arise, victims should disengage gradually using vague language rather than directly calling out the scammer, to avoid providing feedback that could help frau
wcnc.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2022, 70,000 Americans lost a record $1.3 billion to romance scams—nearly double the $547 million lost in 2021—with scammers increasingly using AI, deepfakes, and voice cloning to deceive victims. North Carolina ranked 9th nationally, with 422 victims losing $18 million that year, including a Hickory therapist who sent $50 to a scammer posing as an African man seeking help before recognizing manipulation tactics like emotional appeals, requests for money, and guilt-tripping. Key warning signs include requests for unorthodox payments, emotionally manipulative pitches, false urgency, an
gulfcoastmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
The North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and Better Business Bureau are hosting a free "Protect Yourself Against Scammers Summit" on March 7 for senior citizens in Bay Minette, Alabama. The educational event will cover major fraud schemes including government impostor scams, romance scams, identity theft, investment fraud, cryptocurrency scams, and Medicare fraud to help seniors recognize and avoid becoming victims.
mydailyrecord.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency scams operate on dating apps like Tinder by building romantic relationships with victims, then convincing them to invest in fake trading platforms or cryptocurrency schemes. Scammers move conversations to texting apps, fabricate stories about lucrative investment opportunities (often involving family members with crypto expertise), and direct victims to deposit money into fraudulent platforms with hidden fees and minimum balance requirements that trap funds. Reported losses include $45,000, $14,000, and $4,000, with victims unable to recover funds after accounts are blocked or frozen, sometimes with additional tax threats used to extract more money.
krgv.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost Americans $547 million in reported losses in one year, with scammers creating fake profiles to build trust before requesting money, often via gift cards or wire transfers. Red flags include no profile pictures, pressure to move relationships quickly, inability to meet in person, and requests for payment; victims should stop contact immediately and report to the FTC or the dating platform.
gazettengr.com
· 2025-12-08
Seven defendants across the United States and Nigeria were indicted for operating a romance scam that defrauded victims of approximately $8 million between March 2018 and June 2019. The scheme involved Nigerian operators creating fake online personas to build trust with victims before requesting money under false pretenses, with many elderly victims losing their life savings and retirement funds. The defendants facilitated money laundering by establishing U.S. bank accounts to collect and distribute fraud proceeds while concealing the funds' destination and the scammers' identities.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
A British widow named Lyn lost $63,000 to a romance scammer who contacted her through a Facebook grief support group in 2020, posing as a widower named "Derek" who claimed to own a mineral company in Dubai. Over four months, the fraudster manipulated her into sending money for fabricated emergencies (employee injuries, hospital bills, hotel costs) and cryptocurrency transfers, using edited photos to create a false sense of intimacy despite never meeting in person. Police intervened in January 2021, and Lyn ultimately recovered her money; she now warns others about romance scammers who exploit vulnerable people through social media by building trust over time before requesting financial assistance
ksl.com
· 2025-12-08
Seven people were indicted on federal charges for operating a romance scam that defrauded victims of approximately $8 million between March 2018 and June 2019. The scheme, primarily operated by a Nigerian group known as the "Yahoo boys," involved creating fake online personas to build trust with victims—many of them elderly—before requesting money under false pretenses; the defendants in the U.S. (located in Texas, Canada, and Nigeria) and a group of "Utah Money Transmitters" facilitated money laundering by opening financial institution accounts to collect victim funds and distribute proceeds to the scammers overseas. Many victims lost their life savings and retirement funds in the scheme.
vancouver.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warned of rising "sugar dating" scams on Valentine's Day 2024, in which scammers pose as wealthy individuals on dating sites and social media to target younger people with financial difficulties, promising money in exchange for calls, photos, or dates. Victims of these romance scams may lose hundreds or thousands of dollars and experience significant emotional harm alongside financial loss. The BBB recommends six safety measures including meeting in public, vetting profiles, maintaining separate dating and social media accounts, and avoiding dependence on sugar dating as primary income.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Liza Likins, a former backup singer for Stevie Nicks, lost over $1 million in a romance scam on Facebook Dating after connecting with a man claiming to be named Donald living in Australia; she eventually sold her house to send him bail money before realizing it was a fraud. The scammer used photos stolen from German life coach Raho Bornhorst, who has discovered his images were used to create over 100 fake profiles targeting women. The FTC reported 70,000 romance scams in 2022 with $1.3 billion in losses, and experts advise users to avoid sending money to online contacts and to be suspicious of anyone
starherald.net
· 2025-12-08
Kate Kleinart, a 70-year-old victim, lost tens of thousands of dollars to a romance scam, reporting that the emotional loss of the fabricated relationship hurt more than the financial loss. The FTC received over 64,000 romance scam reports in the past year totaling $1.14 billion in losses, with scammers typically targeting lonely individuals by building false romantic connections before requesting money under false pretenses. Experts recommend protecting against these scams by: identifying red flags (exceptionally attractive profiles, quick romantic escalation, requests to use private messaging apps), using reverse image searches to verify photos, maintaining open family conversations about scams using an informative rather than authoritative
thetelegraphandargus.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
West Yorkshire Police urged romance scam victims to come forward, emphasizing they are not alone and should not feel ashamed. In one documented case, an 83-year-old woman from Oldham lost over £20,000 to a scammer posing as an American millionaire widower whom she met playing online Scrabble. Victims are advised to contact their bank immediately and report the fraud to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040) or visit actionfraud.police.uk.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a meaningful summary as the text provided is only a navigation menu and header structure from a CBS News webpage, not an actual article. The only substantive information visible is the headline "Romance scams cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022" with a subtitle noting that scammers continue using romance tactics beyond Valentine's Day. To create an accurate summary for the Elderus database, please provide the full article content.
kiro7.com
· 2025-12-08
Rebecca D'Antonio lost $100,000 to a sophisticated romance scam orchestrated by an organized crime ring based in Nigeria, where a scammer posing as a Boston attorney gradually escalated requests for money through emotional manipulation and false emergencies. The FBI receives approximately 19,000 romance scam tips annually, with perpetrators operating like organized businesses using multiple people playing different roles to deceive vulnerable victims, often targeting lonely or divorced women. Experts advise never sending money to someone you haven't met in person and never sharing banking information with online contacts.
ktre.com
· 2025-12-08
Homeland Security Investigations raised awareness about the growing threat of romance scams, which targeted approximately 70,000 victims in the U.S. in 2023, with 90% being adults over 60. Scammers typically initiate contact online, build trust over 1-3 months, then request money, often operating from overseas locations where law enforcement has limited recourse. The agency recommends protecting personal information, verifying identities through image searches, and reporting suspicious activity to local law enforcement.
toronto.ctvnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
I'm unable to provide a summary of this article because the content provided only contains the title and a list of unrelated shopping articles. The actual article text about Canadians losing $50 million to romance scams in 2023 is not included. Please provide the full article content so I can create an accurate summary for the Elderus database.