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
forbes.com
· 2025-12-07
In February 2024, former U.S. Ambassador Cindy Dyer testified to the Senate about the connection between human trafficking abroad and romance scams targeting older Americans, noting that scam centers in Southeast Asia—particularly Cambodia—force trafficking victims to defraud Americans out of millions of dollars and life savings. The FTC estimated that Americans lost $158 billion to all fraud in 2023, with older Americans reporting $277 million in romance scam losses that year, though actual figures are likely much higher due to underreporting. Experts stress that international cooperation is essential to combat these overseas-based scams, but such efforts have been hindered by reduced foreign aid and weakened international all
globalpolicywatch.com
· 2025-12-07
In August, the FTC announced a $14 million settlement with Match Group, the parent company of dating platforms including Match.com, OkCupid, and PlentyOfFish, for deceptive marketing and unfair billing practices. The settlement resolved a 2019 complaint alleging that Match sent misleading notifications from fraudulent accounts to non-subscribers to induce paid subscriptions, promoted unclear "free" guarantee offers with hidden eligibility conditions, and employed burdensome cancellation procedures—practices that resulted in nearly 500,000 subscriptions purchased through deception between 2016 and 2018. The settlement includes injunctive provisions requiring Match to address these consumer protection
aol.com
· 2025-12-07
Netflix's "Love Con Revenge" docuseries exposes romance scams where fraudsters manipulate victims into sending money through fake romantic relationships. The documentary follows cases including Todd Dean (the "Selfie Scammer") who convinced at least eight women to invest in a fake wellness startup, resulting in a $30,727.50 court judgment against him; and Ricky Morrisey, who stole over $13,000 from victim Bridget Phillips and was convicted of three felony counts, receiving a three-year prison sentence in September 2025, while some scammers continue to evade accountability.
komando.com
· 2025-12-07
A Florida grandmother lost $60,000 in a romance scam after being deceived by fraudsters posing as a retired Army general online. One suspect allegedly pocketed $30,000 of the stolen funds to purchase a Hyundai Kona, and the victim later confronted him in person, though he claimed to be "scamming the scammer."
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
Netflix's docuseries *Love Con Revenge*, hosted by Shimon Hayut fraud victim Cecilie Fjellhøy, explores online dating scams and catfishing through real case investigations conducted with private investigator Brianne Joseph. The series documents multiple romance fraud schemes affecting both men and women, and features one case—involving fraudster Ricky Morrissey who deceived his girlfriend out of money with a false Army story—that resulted in his conviction on three felony charges of fraud and larceny. The show provides education on common scammer tactics while demonstrating that romance fraud victims can achieve justice when law enforcement pursues cases seriously.
sebastopoltimes.com
· 2025-12-07
A Sebastopol resident, Shai Plonski, fell victim to a romance scam in 2022 that began on Facebook and involved a fake cryptocurrency trading app, resulting in financial loss. The scam is part of a larger trafficking operation where workers from underdeveloped countries are smuggled across borders, imprisoned, and forced under threat of violence to perpetrate romance scams (known as "pig butchering") to repay their traffickers. Plonski is now publicly sharing his experience through a YouTube video to help prevent others from becoming victims of these operations, which are often linked to organized crime and generate millions by exploiting both the trafficked workers and their romance scam victims
fun107.com
· 2025-12-07
Bridget Phillips of Rhode Island was victimized by serial romance scammer Ricky Morrisey, who was featured in the Netflix docuseries "Love Con Revenge." Morrisey was sentenced in September 2025 to three years (five months in jail) and ordered to pay $13,630 in restitution after stealing over $13,000 from Phillips' account tied to her deceased father's estate, plus sentimental items including a family gold coin. Morrisey employed multiple manipulation tactics across his fraud scheme, including fabricating military service stories and falsely claiming insurance money, in attempts to con multiple victims out of money.
phillyvoice.com
· 2025-12-07
**Article Type:** Educational/Awareness Piece
This educational article outlines common business fraud schemes targeting small business owners, including phony invoices, vendor impersonation, fake consultant services, and fraudulent online advertising schemes. The piece advises business owners to implement protective measures such as verifying vendor legitimacy, requiring multi-party invoice approval, avoiding signing blank documents, and recognizing urgency-based pressure tactics as red flags, noting that over 60% of businesses encountered scammers in 2024.
ew.com
· 2025-12-07
Netflix's docuseries "Love Con Revenge" features Cecilie Fjellhøy and private investigator Brianne Joseph exposing romance scams, with cases including Todd Dean (the "Selfie Scammer"), who defrauded at least eight women of tens of thousands of dollars for a fake wellness startup called Sanjara and was ordered to pay one victim $30,727.50 in court before filing for bankruptcy in December 2023, and Ricky Morrisey, who stole over $13,000 from victim Bridget Phillips while posing as a military veteran with a fabricated tragic backstory, resulting in fraud and larceny
thealabamabaptist.org
· 2025-12-07
Romance scams, increasingly prevalent on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, target vulnerable older adults—particularly widows and widowers—by creating fake identities to extract money and financial information. According to Advocating Against Romance Scammers (AARS), perpetrators use fabricated stories (such as being stranded overseas or in jail) to convince victims to send money, with one documented case involving a widow losing over $40,000. Scammers typically initiate contact on public platforms, move conversations to encrypted messaging apps to avoid law enforcement detection, and exploit emotional vulnerabilities and declining cognitive health in their victims.
people.com
· 2025-12-07
Cecilie Fjellhøy was one of three women defrauded by Simon Leviev (the "Tinder Swindler") in a romance scam documented in the 2022 Netflix film; she lost approximately $250,000 after meeting him on Tinder, while Leviev allegedly swindled around $10 million total from multiple victims over the years. Since coming forward, Fjellhøy has become an advocate for romance fraud victims and now hosts the Netflix docuseries *Love Con Revenge* (premiered September 5, 2025), where she partners with a private investigator to expose romance scammers and help victims recover.
fandomwire.com
· 2025-12-07
Romance fraud, where scammers pose as romantic interests to steal money and personal information, costs Americans over $1 billion annually. Netflix's docuseries *Love Con Revenge* features fraud survivor Cecilie Fjellhøy (who lost $250,000 to "Tinder Swindler" Shimon Hayut) and investigator Brianne Joseph explaining how fraudsters use dating apps, fake profiles, love-bombing, and manufactured crises to manipulate victims. The experts advise victims to report scammers immediately to social media platforms and police, document all evidence, and watch for warning signs like rapid declarations of love and elaborate future plans before money requests arise.
presspubs.com
· 2025-12-07
Internet scams targeting seniors and vulnerable populations are increasing, employing tactics such as impersonating government agencies via phone/email, compromising contacts through hacked accounts, creating deepfake audio/video, and romance scams on social media. Protection strategies include verifying contacts through known numbers, avoiding links and downloads from unknown sources, and reporting suspected scams to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or 1-877-FTC-HELP.
popsmokemedia.com
· 2025-12-07
An 80-year-old woman in Hokkaido, Japan, lost approximately ¥1 million (US $6,700–6,800) in a romance scam after being deceived by someone claiming to be an astronaut stranded in space who needed money for oxygen supplies. The scammer built trust over several months beginning in July before fabricating an emergency to manipulate her into transferring funds. Police identified this as a typical romance scam exploiting emotional manipulation and noted that similar schemes are increasingly common, with over 7,600 U.S. victims aged 60+ losing more than USD $389 million in 2024 alone.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-07
Shengsheng He, a California man and co-owner of the Bahamas-based Axis Digital Limited, was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for his role in an international digital asset investment scam that defrauded U.S. victims of more than $36.9 million. The conspiracy involved overseas scammers contacting victims through unsolicited social media and dating apps to solicit fraudulent digital asset investments, with stolen funds laundered through shell companies, international banks, and digital asset wallets connected to scam centers in Cambodia. He was ordered to pay $26,867,242.44 in restitution, and eight co-conspirators have ple
home.treasury.gov
· 2025-12-07
In 2024, Americans lost over $10 billion to Southeast Asia-based cyber scams operated by transnational criminal organizations, representing a 66 percent increase from the prior year. The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned 19 scam centers across Burma and Cambodia that used forced labor, debt bondage, and violence to coerce workers into conducting romance and virtual currency investment scams targeting American victims. These operations typically lure victims with promises of romantic relationships or investment opportunities, then steal funds deposited on fraudulent platforms designed to mimic legitimate investment sites.
aljazeera.com
· 2025-12-07
The United States sanctioned nearly 20 companies and individuals in Myanmar and Cambodia for operating multibillion-dollar scam centers that victimize Americans and exploit trafficked workers. Americans lost over $10 billion to these Southeast Asian scam operations in the previous year, with the schemes—known as "pig-butchering"—targeting victims through fake investment opportunities while many scam operators are themselves enslaved trafficking victims. The sanctions targeted key figures in Myanmar's Shwe Kokko city and Cambodian scam compounds, with estimates suggesting approximately 150,000 trapped victims in Cambodia and 100,000 in Myanmar.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-07
In 2024, the FBI recorded 147,127 scam reports involving Americans age 60 and over, resulting in nearly $5 billion in stolen funds. Arizona had the highest rate of fraud complaints among seniors (88.3 per 100,000 people age 60+), followed by Indiana and Nevada, with imposter scams and tech support scams being the most common types. Experts note that seniors should be alert to unsolicited contacts, unusual payment methods, and pressure to act urgently, as scam attempts and underreporting vary significantly by state.
501lifemag.com
· 2025-12-07
The Arkansas Securities Department reports a substantial increase in financial fraud targeting elderly Arkansans, with older Americans nationwide reporting $4.885 billion in losses from 147,127 complaints in 2024, including 1,063 Arkansas victims who lost $27.25 million. Common schemes include social media scams, romance fraud, and "pig butchering" scams that build trust before encouraging cryptocurrency investments, with seniors being targeted due to accumulated savings, higher trust levels, and social isolation. The ASD advises elderly investors to avoid unsolicited investment opportunities claiming guaranteed returns, secrecy, or low risk with high returns, and encourages reporting suspected fraud to 800.981.4
clickorlando.com
· 2025-12-07
A 56-year-old Florida man, Cory Woodall, was arrested for organized fraud and grand theft after spending $30,000 from a romance scam victim, 70-year-old Carol West, who lost a total of $60,000 over six weeks to scammers impersonating a retired Army general on Facebook. Woodall admitted to spending the stolen money on a 2023 Hyundai Kona and other purchases, claiming he intended to "scam the scammer," though he denied being the person chatting with West online. According to the FTC, Florida residents reported nearly 3,400 romance scams last year, resulting in
vice.com
· 2025-12-07
An 80-year-old Japanese woman lost $6,800 in a romance scam after meeting a man on social media who claimed to be an astronaut in orbit with an oxygen emergency. The scammer built trust over weeks of messaging before fabricating a crisis requiring immediate financial help, which the victim sent via electronic money because she believed she was saving someone she had romantic feelings for. Romance scams have surged in Japan, with over 20,000 cases recorded in 2024 causing $480 million in losses, predominantly affecting seniors, though people of all ages remain vulnerable.
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2025-12-07
The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions against 19 alleged scam centers in Burma and Cambodia that were operating large-scale cyber fraud operations targeting American residents, including romance scams, stealing billions of dollars. The scam centers employed forced labor and violence, including debt bondage and threats of forced prostitution, to coerce individuals into perpetrating the frauds. The action addresses both the victimization of Americans and the exploitation of workers subjected to modern slavery within these criminal networks.
blavity.com
· 2025-12-07
**Love Con Revenge** is a Netflix docuseries that premiered September 5, 2025, following Cecilie Fjellhøy, a romance scam victim who lost $250,000 to Tinder scammer Shimon Hayut (who defrauded approximately $10 million total from multiple victims). Fjellhøy partners with private investigator Brianne Joseph to expose real-world romance scams, help victims recover emotionally and financially, and advocate for changing the cultural stigma around fraud victims who have had money stolen rather than "given away."
soapcentral.com
· 2025-12-07
The Netflix documentary series *Love Con Revenge* features romance scams investigated by private investigator Brianne Joseph and victim-turned-advocate Cecilie Fjellhøy. The final case highlights Lindsay Kresmery, who lost $140,000 to Christopher Lloyd after he posed as a financial manager and former MLB player on Tinder; with Joseph and Fjellhøy's help, Lloyd was indicted on 14 federal counts and faces over 20 years in prison. The series serves as a cautionary exploration of how scammers exploit emotional vulnerability to defraud victims.
primetimer.com
· 2025-12-07
**Love Con Revenge** is a six-part Netflix docuseries released September 5, 2025, that investigates multiple romance scams where perpetrators manipulated victims into financial fraud totaling millions of dollars. The series, hosted by Tinder Swindler victim Cecilie Fjellhøy and private investigator Brianne Joseph, features cases including Todd Dean (mental health facility investment fraud), Christopher Lloyd (alleged $2M+ investment scheme targeting women), Dorian Wilkerson ($2M fraud involving false medical credentials), Ricky Morrissey (veteran-themed romance con), and Aaron Ward (male victim defrauded of $
marketing-interactive.com
· 2025-12-07
Hang Seng Bank launched a public awareness campaign from September to December featuring four Hong Kong actors known for villain roles who formed the "Hang Seng Anti-Fraud Band" to promote fraud prevention through a reimagined Cantonese song and music video highlighting common scams including phishing, investment fraud, online shopping scams, and virtual romance scams. The bank's integrated campaign included live performances, a traveling educational bus, and social media content, supported by technology measures that detected over 1,200 fraud cases in the first half of the year and protected approximately HK$200 million in customer funds.
thesun.my
· 2025-12-07
Modern scam syndicates exploit human psychology through social engineering rather than technical hacking, using fear, urgency, and authority to manipulate victims regardless of education level or professional background. A 28-year-old Malaysian woman lost RM10,000 after scammers impersonated Pos Malaysia and police authorities, pressuring her to disclose personal information and make deposits based on false accusations. Experts emphasize that awareness and questioning authority under pressure, rather than enforcement alone, are critical to combating these psychologically-driven scams that can cause severe financial and emotional consequences.
cosmopolitan.com
· 2025-12-07
*Love Con Revenge*, a Netflix series featuring private investigator Brianne Joseph and Tinder Swindler victim Cecilie Fjellhøy, investigates romance scams, including the case of Christopher Earl Lloyd, who defrauded multiple women of over $2 million by posing as a former Major League Baseball player and investment broker on dating apps. Lloyd was apprehended on July 24th on a 14-count federal indictment and currently faces 13 counts of wire fraud and one count of monetary transaction fraud, with potential sentences of up to 20 years per wire fraud count plus an additional 10 years if convicted on the monetary transaction charge.
cosmopolitan.com
· 2025-12-07
A woman met a man named Christopher Harkins on Tinder in 2017 who presented himself as a successful engineer and developed a romantic relationship with her over several months. After she mentioned wanting spontaneous holidays, he offered to book a trip to Mykonos and convinced her to transfer £3,247 for flights and hotel, claiming he had better booking discounts; however, the hotel had no record of the reservation, and he became cold and unresponsive after receiving the money. The victim's bank and police declined to help, stating she had willingly transferred the funds in what police classified as a "domestic" matter, leaving her unable to recover the money.
primetimer.com
· 2025-12-07
Romance scams involve fraudsters creating elaborate false identities—including fabricated professions, tragedies, and personal relationships—to manipulate victims into providing money and emotional support. The article documents multiple cases including "Major League Scammer" Christopher, who defrauded victims of over $2 million across dating apps and faced a 14-count federal indictment, and Ricky, who falsely posed as a former U.S. Army soldier and was convicted on three felony counts of fraud and larceny. These cases demonstrate how scammers sustain deception over years by deeply integrating into victims' lives, with varying outcomes ranging from legal convictions to unresolved allegations
cosmopolitan.com
· 2025-12-07
Christopher Harkins, a serial romance scammer based in Glasgow, Scotland, operated on dating apps like Tinder from approximately 2012 to 2020, defrauding multiple victims by creating fake profiles, building false relationships through "lovebombing," and then requesting money under various pretexts (frozen bank accounts, fake investments, holiday bookings). Harkins used manipulation, threats, and in some cases physical/sexual violence to control victims, and is considered one of the UK's most prolific romance scammers; his exposure came through the determination of victims who overcame fear and shame to speak out, now documented in the Amazon Prime Video series "Catching the
3bmedianews.com
· 2025-12-07
The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office warned of romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly seniors and widowed persons, after a local man nearly lost money to a scammer posing as a woman on social media. The scammer built emotional trust over time before requesting money, and the sheriff's office reported that hundreds of victims in the area have lost thousands of dollars and compromised identities to similar schemes. The agency urges residents to pause before sending money or personal information to online contacts and to contact their Fraud Unit at (931) 484-6176 if they suspect scam involvement.
screenrant.com
· 2025-12-07
**Summary:**
Netflix's new documentary series "Love Con Revenge," which premiered on September 5, quickly became a top-10 hit globally, reaching the #3 spot in the United States, following former Tinder Swindler victim Cecilie Fjellhøy and investigator Brianne Joseph as they investigate romance scams across the country. While not yet renewed for a second season, the show's rapid success suggests Netflix may greenlight additional seasons given the ongoing prevalence of romance scams and audience interest in victims' recovery stories.
soapcentral.com
· 2025-12-07
Cecilie Fjellhøy, a victim of romance scammer Simon Leviev who lost over £200,000, transformed her experience into activism by co-founding LoveSaid and appearing in Netflix's Love Con Revenge alongside investigator Brianne Joseph to expose romance scams and advocate for legal reform. The documentary highlights common romance fraud tactics including love bombing and emotional manipulation while revealing how the legal system often dismisses these crimes as personal disputes rather than serious offenses. Fjellhøy continues raising awareness about emerging threats like deepfake and AI-enabled scams while working to change public perception and policy surrounding romance fraud victimization.
the420.in
· 2025-12-07
Authorities in Uttarakhand arrested multiple suspects across two cyber fraud cases totaling ₹1.9 crore in losses. In the first case, a 27-year-old man defrauded a 58-year-old Dehradun businessman of ₹50 lakh through a romance scam involving a fake foreign woman and fabricated airport detention charges; in the second case, two Delhi men were arrested for a "digital arrest" scheme that victimized a retired university vice-chancellor of ₹1.4 crore over 12 days in August. These arrests highlight the expansion of organized cyber fraud networks across India using social engineering tactics.
toronto.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-07
In 2025, anti-fraud consultant Vanessa Iafolla highlights the often-overlooked emotional and psychological impact of financial fraud on victims, noting that shame, loss of self-worth, and mental health deterioration can be as damaging as the financial losses themselves. With over 17,000 Canadians falling victim to fraud so far that year, totaling $342 million in losses, Iafolla is pursuing counseling therapy certification to provide specialized mental health support to fraud victims and help destigmatize their experiences. She emphasizes that victims often avoid coming forward due to shame and societal judgment, which increases their vulnerability to being scammed again.
trmlabs.com
· 2025-12-07
This resource is a law enforcement guide for investigating cryptocurrency-enabled scams, which have caused at least $53 billion in losses since 2023, with figures likely underreported due to delayed victim reporting. The guide provides investigators with essential terminology, investigation methodologies, and blockchain forensics techniques to trace fraudulent cryptocurrency transactions and identify the real-world controllers behind pseudonymous addresses. It serves as a practical manual for police and law enforcement professionals to understand and combat crypto-related investment scams, phishing schemes, and other cryptocurrency fraud.
aol.com
· 2025-12-07
A woman in her 80s in Japan lost approximately $6,700 (1 million yen) to a romance scam that began on social media in July 2024, when a con artist posed as an astronaut claiming to be under attack in space and needing money for oxygen. In 2024, over 7,600 people aged 60+ in the United States fell victim to romance and confidence scams, resulting in more than $389 million in losses, with seniors targeted because they tend to be trusting, have financial savings, and may be reluctant to report fraud due to shame.
taipeitimes.com
· 2025-12-07
Seven suspects were charged with defrauding 35 people through the Line messaging app by posing as cryptocurrency dealers, stealing nearly NT$97.43 million (US$3.18 million). Investment scams in Taiwan increased 21 percent year-over-year, with women aged 50 and older representing the majority of victims, and losses from such schemes comprising the largest share of all fraud-related financial losses. The article calls for strengthened government education campaigns and legislation empowering banks and technology platforms to intervene against fraudulent activity, particularly to protect vulnerable elderly populations.
netflixjunkie.com
· 2025-12-07
Cecilie Fjellhøy, a victim of the Tinder Swindler romance scam, partnered with private investigator Brianne Joseph to create Netflix's "Love Con Revenge" docuseries, which explores multiple romance fraud cases and the tactics scammers use, including fake professions, fabricated identities, and phony investment schemes. The six-episode series addresses systemic issues victims face, including law enforcement reluctance and shame, while helping fraud victims reclaim their narratives and pursue justice. Fjellhøy's shift from victim to advocate was motivated by the overwhelming global response she received after The Tinder Swindler documentary, revealing how prevalent
tomshardware.com
· 2025-12-07
An 80-year-old woman in Japan lost approximately $6,700 to a romance scammer who posed as a stranded astronaut, claiming he needed funds for oxygen supplies while trapped in space. After establishing an online relationship beginning in July, the fraudster convinced the victim to send money by fabricating an emergency situation involving his spaceship being under attack. This case exemplifies the broader threat of romance scams, with the FTC reporting that 64,000 Americans lost $1 billion to similar schemes in 2023.
fandomwire.com
· 2025-12-07
Netflix's "Love Con Revenge" is a 6-part docuseries featuring Cecilie Fjellhøy (from "The Tinder Swindler") and private investigator Brianne Joseph investigating romance scams and their devastating impact on victims. The series examines cases including a soldier impersonator who defrauded a woman of thousands of dollars and a man who posed as a doctor in a $2 million scam affecting a woman and her daughters, while highlighting the long-term emotional, psychological, and financial toll these frauds inflict on survivors.
sg.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
Cecilie Fjellhøy lost approximately $250,000 to Simon Leviev (real name Shimon Hayut), a con artist who posed as a wealthy diamond mogul's son on Tinder and manipulated her into funding his fabricated emergencies through romance fraud. After appearing in Netflix's 2022 documentary *The Tinder Swindler*, which exposed Leviev's scheme that defrauded victims of an estimated $10 million total, Fjellhøy partnered with a private investigator to create *Love Con Revenge*, a series helping other romance scam victims recover funds and reclaim their lives.
netflixjunkie.com
· 2025-12-07
Netflix's documentary series "Love Con Revenge" exposes the mechanics of romance scams, featuring victim Cecilie Fjellhøy and investigator Brianne Joseph as they examine how scammers use tactics like "love bombing" and "future faking" to manipulate victims for financial gain. The series highlights the emotional toll on victims including shame and self-blame, while providing guidance on recognizing warning signs, documenting suspicious behavior, and reporting to authorities, with emphasis on the need for stronger identity verification by social media platforms.
sg.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
Simon Leviev (real name Shimon Hayut), who defrauded approximately $10 million from multiple victims through romance scams on Tinder, served only five months of his 15-month Israeli prison sentence before his release in 2020. After the 2022 Netflix documentary *The Tinder Swindler* exposed his crimes, Leviev dismissed the allegations, attempted to launch an entertainment career, and in 2025 created a cryptocurrency called TIND, while reportedly living in Dubai and remaining banned from Tinder. One of his victims, Cecilie Fjellhøy, lost nearly £200,000 and has since partnere
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
Netflix's new six-episode series *Love Con Revenge* follows fraud survivor Cecilie Fjellhøy and private investigator Brianne Joseph as they investigate romance scams, where con artists use fake online personas to trick victims into falling in love and stealing their money. The series examines the emotional and financial toll of this "modern crime that is exploding" globally, with Fjellhøy leveraging her experience from the 2022 documentary *The Tinder Swindler* to help victims and hold perpetrators accountable.
949thebull.iheart.com
· 2025-12-07
The article does not contain sufficient details to provide a proper summary for the Elderus database. While it mentions that a woman fell victim to a romance scam described as "one of the worst," the piece lacks specific information about the victim, the scammer, dollar amounts lost, or the outcome of the case. The article appears to be a transcript or teaser for a podcast episode that covers multiple unrelated topics.
netflix.com
· 2025-12-07
Romance fraud is a crime where scammers create fake relationships to steal money or personal information from victims, costing Americans over $1 billion annually. The documentary series "Love Con Revenge" features Cecilie Fjellhøy (known from the "Tinder Swindler" case) and private investigator Brianne Joseph breaking down warning signs such as "love bombing," "future faking," and manufactured crises, while highlighting how law enforcement often fails to prioritize these cases, allowing serial scammers to continue victimizing others. The experts recommend victims report suspected scams immediately to social media platforms and emphasize the importance of overcoming shame to seek help and justice.
netflix.com
· 2025-12-07
Netflix's "Love Con Revenge" follows host Cecilie Fjellhøy (a former "Tinder Swindler" victim) and private investigator Brianne Joseph as they investigate romance scams and help victims pursue justice. The series documents cases including a man who manipulated a woman out of thousands by fabricating military trauma stories, and another who posed as a doctor while orchestrating approximately $2 million in fraud against his wife and her daughters. The hosts emphasize that romance fraud is widespread and encourage victims to come forward despite the emotional and financial devastation, as well as challenges in holding perpetrators accountable.
scmp.com
· 2025-12-07
An 80-year-old woman from Sapporo, Japan was scammed out of 1 million yen (US$6,750) after meeting a man on social media who claimed to be an astronaut aboard a spacecraft in orbit. The scammer exploited her romantic feelings by fabricating an emergency situation where his vessel was "under attack" and he needed money to purchase oxygen. This case exemplifies how romance scams can exploit emotional vulnerabilities regardless of how implausible the cover story may seem.