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in Romance Scams
floridatoday.com
Seniors are frequently targeted by scammers who exploit their trust and financial stability, with elder fraud causing over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023 and an average victim loss of $33,915. Common scams include fraudulent phone calls impersonating banks or family members, phishing emails and texts, fake charities, Medicare/insurance schemes, tech support scams, and romance scams (which resulted in $1.3 billion in losses in 2022). The article advises seniors to be skeptical of unsolicited contact, verify organizations directly before donating or sharing information, and report suspected scams to the FTC, Department of Justice, or AARP.
khaleejtimes.com
A dating app scam ring operating in Dubai uses fake female Tinder profiles to lure men to complicit nightclubs in Business Bay and Dubai Marina, where they are pressured into ordering expensive drinks and food, resulting in bills ranging from Dh3,000 to Dh10,000 before the scammers disappear and block contact. The scheme, which involves at least six nightclubs and two identified individuals including a nightclub manager and a European woman, exploits an extreme version of upselling tactics and has victimized multiple Dubai residents who reported the fraud on online forums. While victims have little chance of recovering their money, some have negotiated reduced bills through confrontation with establishments.
finance.yahoo.com
A GOBankingRates survey found that Gen Z and millennials fall victim to financial scams at higher rates than older generations, with 35% experiencing phone-related scams compared to 25% of Gen Xers, and 18% of Gen Zers victimized by Social Security scams versus less than 2% of seniors. Fraud prevention experts attribute this vulnerability to younger generations' greater trust in digital platforms, overconfidence in spotting scams, financial pressures, and exposure to recruitment into fraudulent activities on social media, despite 81% of Gen Z believing they can identify AI-generated fraud.
lowyat.net
Former Heartland Tri-State Bank CEO Shan Hanes was sentenced to 24 years in prison for illegally wiring $47.1 million from the bank in a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam, ultimately causing the bank's collapse. The scheme harmed multiple victims including church funds, investment clubs, and children's college savings, resulting in $9 million in losses for bank investors and forcing the FDIC to absorb the $47 million loss. Hanes faces an additional 28 charges in North Dakota with a potential 86-month sentence scheduled for trial in October.
fbcnews.com.fj
During Fiji's National Scam Awareness Week, police revealed that retired women are being targeted in romance scams, with one victim losing approximately $500,000 after being manipulated through WhatsApp by a perpetrator posing as an overseas resident. Nine cases have been reported, with scammers employing tactics such as requesting nude photos and threatening to expose victims on social media unless they provide money. Retired women, particularly those aged 60-70, are identified as vulnerable targets for these fraudulent schemes.
abilene-rc.com
Detective Kevin Landers of the Abilene Police Department outlines common scams targeting seniors, including romance, lottery, sweepstakes, and government impersonation schemes where callers demand payment via gift cards or bitcoin. Seniors are frequently targeted because they tend to be trusting, have savings, own homes, and maintain good credit, though scammers prey on people of all ages. Landers recommends protecting oneself by verifying unsolicited offers online, resisting pressure to act quickly, monitoring credit reports annually, and stopping communication with suspected scammers immediately.
kwqc.com
The Coalition Against Financial Crime is hosting a scam awareness event on September 12 in Bettendorf, Iowa to educate financial institutions, law enforcement, and businesses about evolving fraud tactics. Common scams discussed include romance scams, check fraud, work-from-home schemes, and back-to-school scams, with experts advising the public to slow down before making financial decisions and learn to verify information to avoid victimization.
augustachronicle.com
A Privacy Journal study ranked Georgia as the third most dangerous state for online dating, scoring 43.16 based on six risk factors including romance scams, identity theft, fraud, registered sex offenders, STD prevalence, and violent crime. Georgia performed particularly poorly in identity theft and fraud cases, with 358 per 100,000 residents experiencing identity theft annually and 470 per 100,000 falling victim to other types of fraud, though it had the fourth-lowest rate of romance scams. Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire were identified as the safest states for online dating.
newstalk940.com
The FBI has identified five major scams targeting Texans: phishing emails mimicking banks to steal personal information, romance scams involving fake dating profiles that request money, lottery/sweepstakes scams requiring upfront fees to claim winnings, tech support scams requesting remote computer access, and IRS/government impersonation scams threatening legal action for immediate payment. The article advises Texans to be cautious of unsolicited requests for money or personal information and to trust their instincts when something seems suspicious.
thefinanser.com
The UK government is implementing new APP (Authorised Push Payment) fraud regulations on October 7 that will require payment providers to reimburse consumers up to £415,000 per case when they are defrauded, addressing losses exceeding £450 million annually (potentially £700 million unreported). The payments industry strongly opposes the law, arguing it will increase moral hazard, attract fraudsters to the UK, raise consumer costs, reduce competition among fintech companies, and potentially destabilize critical payment infrastructure, with some calling for a one-year delay to prepare adequate systems and technology.
unisa.edu.au
During Australia's Scams Awareness Week 2024, UniSA expert Dr. Braam Lowies highlighted that despite a 13% drop in scam losses, Australians lost $2.7 billion to scams in 2023, with older people over 65 suffering disproportionately—losing $120 million (a 13.3% increase). Investment scams, romance scams, and remote access scams remain prevalent, with investment scams causing the most harm, while scammers exploit psychological tactics and target older adults' retirement savings, often exacerbated by limited digital literacy and cyber security awareness. The campaign emphasized the importance of sharing scam
deccanherald.com
A dating scam operating in Mumbai lures men through popular dating apps (Tinder, Bumble, Happn, and QuackQuack) by arranging meetups at expensive nightclubs, where women accomplices then abandon the victims, leaving them responsible for substantial bills. The scam exploits men who are left to pay inflated charges after their dates depart abruptly. No specific dollar amounts or arrest details were provided in this report.
newsweek.com
A study ranking online dating safety across U.S. states identified Nevada, Alaska, Georgia, Florida, and Arizona as the five most dangerous states, based on rates of romance scams, identity theft, fraud, violent crime, and encounters with registered sex offenders. Georgia and Florida ranked among the least safe due to particularly high identity theft and fraud rates, while Arizona led the nation in romance scams specifically. The research demonstrates that geographic location significantly influences online dating risks for users.
9now.nine.com.au
"Pig butchering" is a sophisticated romance scam operating from compounds on the Myanmar-Thailand border, where trafficked workers—held captive and beaten by Chinese organized crime gangs—use AI-generated avatars and psychological manipulation scripts to build romantic relationships with victims on dating apps, then convince them to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms. The scams have become so prevalent and profitable that they rival the drug trade; Australian victim Sarah lost $100,000 after months of grooming, and law enforcement officials warn this criminal enterprise poses an unprecedented global threat to vulnerable populations worldwide.
mk.co.kr
A criminal organization based in Myanmar's "Golden Triangle" lured dozens of Korean men (ages 20-40s) with false promises of high-paying jobs (10-100 million won monthly), then imprisoned them in heavily guarded compounds and forced them into romance scams and stock fraud after confiscating their documents. The victims endured physical torture, threats, and forced labor for approximately 40 days until one escaped and reported the scheme to the Korean Embassy in October 2023, leading to the rescue of 19 victims and the arrest of 37 perpetrators; the estimated fraud damages exceeded 23 billion won.
mortgagebusiness.com.au
Between January and June 2024, Scamwatch received 143,113 reports and documented over $139 million in losses, with people aged 55 and over accounting for 48.7 percent of losses despite representing only a portion of reports. A key finding shows that 30 percent of people do not report serious scams, and social media scams cost Australians $80.2 million in the previous year, with common tactics including fake accounts, fraudulent investment opportunities, and requests for personal information. Banks emphasize the importance of reporting scams and sharing awareness to collectively prevent fraud, particularly targeting vulnerable populations including older adults, non-English speakers, and people with
hindustantimes.com
Twelve men in Mumbai fell victim to a dating scam orchestrated through dating apps including Tinder and Bumble, with individual losses ranging from ₹23,000 to ₹61,743. The scam involved women meeting men at upscale venues like Godfather Club in Andheri West, ordering expensive drinks and hookah without showing menus, then disappearing while bouncers allegedly pressured victims to pay inflated bills. The scheme was exposed by lawyer and activist Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj in a viral post that attracted over four million views.
m.economictimes.com
A dating app scam operating across multiple Indian cities targeted men through fake dates at upscale nightclubs, with victims in Mumbai losing between Rs 23,000 to Rs 61,000 after women lured them into ordering expensive items before disappearing. The scheme involved women hired by nightclub networks who matched with men on dating apps like Tinder and Bumble, then used intimidation tactics by club staff and bouncers to force payment of inflated bills. Similar incidents have been reported in Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, with at least 12 victims identified in Mumbai alone and authorities investigating the coordinated network of venues involved.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Men in Mumbai have been targeted in a organized dating app scam where women lure victims to expensive nightclubs via platforms like Tinder and Bumble, resulting in bills ranging from ₹23,000 to ₹61,000; the women allegedly receive 15-20% commissions, suggesting involvement of nightclub management. At least 10 men reportedly fall victim daily at single venues like the Godfather Club in Andheri West, with similar incidents reported across Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and other major Indian cities, including one case involving a ₹1.2 lakh bill. Mumbai Police have launched an investigation into the suspecte
news.abplive.com
A Mumbai man lost Rs 61,000 in a dating app scam where a woman met him at an upscale restaurant, ordered expensive items without showing him the menu, then left abruptly, leaving him to pay the inflated bill. The scam operates through dating apps like Tinder and Bumble, with victims reportedly threatened by bouncers if they refuse to pay bills ranging from Rs 23,000 to Rs 61,000, and at least 12 victims have been identified targeting the same venue and perpetrators. Similar schemes have been reported across major Indian cities including Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
eccalifornian.com
Romance scams remain the leading fraud reported to the FTC, with San Diego County alone reporting over $1.3 million in losses in 2023 and nationwide losses exceeding $1.1 billion annually. Scammers, often operating from overseas labor camps, pose as romantic interests and request money for emergencies, investments, or personal situations, using common excuses like illness, military deployment, or business deals. The article advises potential victims to avoid sending money to unmet online contacts, verify photos using reverse image search, and be suspicious of requests to move conversations off dating apps or provide personal information.
the-sun.com
A cybersecurity expert warned that major data breaches—including AT&T's 2024 compromises affecting millions of customers' personal information—enable sophisticated scams orchestrated by state-sponsored actors from China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran who use stolen data for social engineering attacks. Victims lose billions annually to romance scams and "pig-butchering" investment scams (particularly in cryptocurrency), with one in four Americans losing an average of $500 to scams in the past year. The expert recommends monitoring for phishing attempts, using unique passwords with a password manager, and enabling multi-factor authentication to protect against fraud resulting from data breaches.
cointelegraph.com
Tether, a stablecoin issuer, has assisted over 145 law enforcement agencies in recovering more than $108.8 million in USDT linked to illegal activities since 2014, including a recent $5 million seizure from "pig-butchering" romance scammers who deceived victims by posing as romantic interests. The company has voluntarily blocked over 1,900 wallets connected to illicit activity and collaborated with the DOJ, FBI, and US Secret Service on investigations, with romance scams showing an 85-fold increase since 2020.
livebitcoinnews.com
Tether, the issuer of the largest stablecoin USDT, assisted the US Department of Justice in recovering approximately $5 million stolen in a romance (pig-butchering) scam, where victims were deceived into investing in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms. Since 2014, Tether has recovered $108.8 million in stolen USDT across more than 145 enforcement agencies in 40 jurisdictions by tracking and blocking wallets associated with illicit activity.
mid-day.com
Multiple men in Mumbai were scammed through a coordinated dating app fraud scheme in which women matched with them on Tinder and lured them to the Godfather Club, where inflated bills ranging from Rs 35,949 to Rs 55,248 were presented for modest orders of food and drinks. The victims, including a 34-year-old IT professional who lost Rs 55,248 in a single hour, discovered they had been deceived only after the women disappeared with payment and deleted their profiles, leaving victims with no recourse except credit card statements. Following a news investigation, several victims came forward with evidence, ready to file police reports against the restaurant and the women involved in the sc
mypunepulse.com
A romance scam ring operating in Mumbai has defrauded at least 12 men of ₹23,000 to ₹61,000 each through a coordinated scheme involving dating apps (Tinder and Bumble), fake female profiles, and The Godfather Club restaurant in Andheri West. The scammers lure men to meetings, order expensive undisclosed items, then abandon the victims with inflated bills while bouncers allegedly threaten or intimidate them into paying. Similar scams have been reported across other major Indian cities, and Mumbai Police has not yet taken action despite public exposure by lawyer and activist Deepika Narayan Bhardw
techtimes.com
Shan Hanes, former CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank, fell victim to a pig-butchering cryptocurrency scam and subsequently embezzled $47 million from the bank to fund fraudulent "investments," resulting in the bank's collapse and his conviction on embezzlement charges. Before stealing from the bank, Hanes had already victimized a local church, investor club, his daughter's college fund, and a neighbor in attempts to feed the scam. He received a 24-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to embezzlement.
theverge.com
Shan Hanes, former CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank in Kansas, was sentenced to 24 years in prison after embezzling $47.1 million from the bank and routing it to cryptocurrency accounts controlled by pig butchering scammers. Between May and June 2023, Hanes made 11 wire transfers using stolen bank funds while also embezzling from a local church, investment club, and his daughter's college savings account, ultimately causing the bank to collapse. Pig butchering scams, which lure victims into fake cryptocurrency investments through relationship-building on messaging apps and social media, have cost victims over $75 billion globally in recent years
ibtimes.co.uk
Shan Hanes, CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank in Kansas, was sentenced to over 24 years in prison for embezzling $47 million after falling victim to a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam. Over eight weeks in 2022, Hanes transferred stolen funds from the bank, a local church, an investment club, and his daughter's college savings to cryptocurrency wallets controlled by scammers, ultimately losing all the money and causing the bank's collapse and FDIC takeover. The scheme devastated shareholders and community members, with victims losing 70-80 percent of their retirement savings and facing severe financial hardship.
yahoo.com
A Portland woman fell victim to a romance scam after matching with someone on Tinder who posed as "Barton Nathan" and convinced her to send over $40,000 under the guise of needing money for visa fees, medical emergencies, and legal costs. The scammer used emotional manipulation and false promises of meeting in person to extract funds over several months before the victim realized the relationship was fraudulent. Romance scams resulted in over $1.14 billion in reported losses across more than 64,000 cases in 2023, making them the costliest type of online fraud despite being significantly underreported due to victim shame.
blockonomi.com
On August 22, 2024, Philippine authorities arrested 99 people (67 foreign nationals and 32 Filipinos) in a raid on AIA Company, an unregistered cryptocurrency scam hub in Parañaque City that operated romance scams and fake investment schemes. Customer service representatives were coerced into posing as wealthy models to lure victims into investing in manipulated cryptocurrency platforms, with some employees forced into additional exploitative activities. Authorities seized electronic devices and are preparing charges under cybercrime and securities regulations laws.
securityboulevard.com
Kansas bank CEO Shan Hanes was sentenced to 24 years in prison for embezzling $47.1 million through wire transfers to cryptocurrency wallets as part of a "pig butchering" scam in which he was the victim-turned-perpetrator. His actions directly caused Heartland Tri-State Bank to collapse, resulting in $9 million in losses to investors, with the FDIC absorbing the remaining $47.1 million. Hanes circumvented internal banking controls with the help of employees to facilitate the fraudulent transfers between May and June 2023.
bbc.com
Between January 2022 and January 2023, a "pig-butchering" investment scam targeting Chinese citizens was operated from the Isle of Man, with scammers working from the Seaview Hotel and former bank offices in Douglas. Nearly 100 Chinese workers, many transferred from the Philippines, used fast broadband and QQ messaging to lure victims into fake investment schemes where they posed as investment "teachers" and fellow investors, ultimately siphoning off millions of dollars. Six workers have since been convicted in Chinese courts for their roles in the scam, which was run by Manx Internet Commerce (MIC), part of a larger company group that also operated an online casino to exploit
theconversation.com
An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to tech support fraud when she clicked a malicious link claiming to be from Apple, leading scammers posing as tech support and bank fraud personnel to convince her to purchase gift cards totaling thousands of dollars over a 10-hour period. The case illustrates a larger problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through stranger fraud, with gift cards increasingly becoming the preferred payment method for scammers because they lack consumer protections afforded to credit and debit cards and are easily converted to untraceable purchases or resold on dark web marketplaces. The investigation reveals that federal regulators have consistently
americanbanker.com
A neobank called Charlie is intentionally slowing payment processing speeds to combat the rising tide of financial fraud, implementing "Speed Bumps"—strategic pauses combined with real-time alerts and education—at vulnerable transaction moments. The company highlights that while most financial institutions prioritize faster payments, fraud has significantly increased with AI-enabled scams targeting all demographics, with elderly customers particularly vulnerable to long-con schemes like impersonation fraud and romance scams. Charlie's approach also allows customers to set custom transaction rules and designate family members as "fraud alert co-pilots" to monitor accounts, recognizing that even small frauds under $1,000 can have material consequences for those living pay
columbuscountynews.com
Federal investigators in North Carolina seized approximately $5 million in cryptocurrency tied to a "pig butchering" scam, in which criminals pose as romantic partners to build trust with victims before directing them to fake cryptocurrency trading platforms. The scammers promised high investment returns on these fraudulent platforms, then prevented victims from withdrawing funds and demanded additional payments for supposed taxes and penalties. The FBI traced victim funds through multiple cryptocurrency wallets used to launder the proceeds, with one victim losing an entire individual retirement account to the scheme.
miragenews.com
Since COVID-19, documentaries about true crime and romance fraud have surged in popularity, with filmmakers increasingly shifting focus from perpetrators to victims to provide a platform for survivors to share their stories and warn others. A QUT researcher cautions that while this trend is positive, victims should carefully select filmmakers with a proven track record of treating subjects with empathy and respect, as exclusivity agreements with major streamers may limit where their story can be told. The panel discussion at National Scams Awareness Week will explore how media narratives of victimization can both help and hinder support for fraud victims and what steps people can take to prevent and respond to scams.
windsorstar.com
A 26-year-old Windsor woman was charged with fraud over $5,000 in June after allegedly defrauding an intimate partner of approximately $18,500 by claiming to be pregnant and demanding money for medical expenses. Essex County OPP believe there may be additional victims of this romance scam and are continuing their investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the OPP or Crime Stoppers.
cbc.ca
A 26-year-old Windsor woman was charged with fraud over $5,000 after allegedly claiming to be pregnant within a romantic relationship and requesting money for medical expenses, defrauding one victim of approximately $18,500. Police received the complaint in February 2024 and arrested the suspect in June; investigators believe additional victims of this romance scam may exist, and the investigation remains ongoing.
crypto.news
Philippine authorities arrested 99 individuals (64 foreign nationals and 35 Filipinos) during an August 22 raid on a Chinese-run scam center in Manila that was operating cryptocurrency investment and romance scams. The operation deceived victims by using fake wealthy model personas to lure them into fraudulent trading platforms, with some arrested workers claiming coercion. The raid reflects intensified government crackdowns on unlicensed crypto services and online gaming operators following regulatory efforts announced by the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission.
scroll.in
A physiotherapist from Lucknow named Rose Jehan was trafficked to the UAE under false employment promises and enslaved by a Chinese-run cybercrime syndicate operating from Ajman, where she was forced to conduct investment scams against Indian victims while confined in an apartment with other trafficked women from South Asia. Working 13-hour shifts, she and approximately 100 other workers made 700-800 calls daily impersonating company representatives to defraud unsuspecting individuals, with Rose herself extracting Rs 500,000 from a retiree's life savings in one instance. The investigation revealed that the UAE had become a global hub for these operations, with thousands of
yahoo.com
An 83-year-old Maryland resident named Mae fell victim to a tech support scam that ultimately resulted in fraudsters convincing her to purchase gift cards as payment. The article documents how gift card fraud has become a leading payment method in elder fraud schemes, with an estimated $8 billion stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older, yet federal regulators have failed to implement consumer protections for gift cards comparable to those for credit and debit cards. The investigation reveals that while fraudsters, gift card companies, and retailers profit from these schemes, the privately-held technology companies managing the gift card infrastructure are best positioned to prevent fraud but lack legal requirements to do so.
upi.com
An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to tech support fraud after clicking a malicious link on her frozen laptop, leading fraudsters to convince her to purchase gift cards worth thousands of dollars over a 10-hour period. The case illustrates a broader problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through fraud, with gift cards increasingly becoming the preferred payment method for criminals due to minimal consumer protections and difficulty in tracing funds. Federal regulators have failed to provide gift cards with the same protections as credit and debit cards, while retailers, technology companies, and fraudsters all profit from the scheme at victims' expense.
theitem.com
An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to a tech support scam when a fake Apple alert prompted her to contact fraudsters posing as Apple and bank employees, who ultimately convinced her to purchase gift cards totaling thousands of dollars over a 10-hour period. The case illustrates a broader problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through fraud, with gift cards increasingly becoming the payment method of choice for criminals because they lack consumer protections afforded to credit and debit cards. Federal regulators have failed to adequately protect consumers from gift card fraud despite it being a growing problem, while technology companies and retailers benefit financially from these crimes due to
uppermichiganssource.com
The FTC reported that romance scams cost victims a median of $2,000 each, with total reported losses reaching $1.14 billion—the highest of any imposter scam. Scammers are increasingly using AI and deepfakes to establish fake profiles on dating apps and social media by stealing images and cloning voices to build trust before requesting money. Experts recommend victims never send money to online contacts they haven't met in person, use reverse image searches to verify photos, and monitor their privacy settings on social media.
foxcarolina.com
**QR Code Scams on the Rise**
The Better Business Bureau warned that scammers are increasingly using QR codes to direct victims to phishing websites, fraudulent payment portals, and malware downloads, with reports of fraud on parking meters, in emails, postal mail, and through romance scams impersonating utility and government officials. To protect against these scams, consumers should verify QR codes before scanning them, avoid scanning codes from strangers (especially those promising urgent opportunities), be wary of shortened URLs, and check for signs of tampering such as stickers placed over legitimate business codes.
freep.com
Metro Detroit police report a surge in scam schemes targeting residents, in which perpetrators impersonate government agencies, tech support, or financial institutions to convince victims to withdraw large sums of cash or cryptocurrency. Victims are instructed to either hand cash to "couriers" or deposit funds into bitcoin ATMs, with one Northville Township woman in her 70s losing $300,000 through a combination of cash, bitcoin, and gold bars in summer 2024. Scammers keep victims on the phone to prevent them from seeking help and often direct them to multiple banks to avoid suspicion.
states.aarp.org
This is an educational awareness piece, not a news report of a specific scam incident. Here's the summary:
Romance scams are increasingly prevalent on social media, dating apps, and online platforms, with criminals evolving tactics to exploit lonely individuals into money laundering schemes, fraudulent cryptocurrency investments, and other fraud. AARP Texas hosted a Facebook Live educational event on September 4, 2024, featuring federal prosecutors and law enforcement to discuss warning signs of romance scams, protective measures, and resources for victims.
wflx.com
Romance scams cost victims a median of $2,000, with total reported losses reaching $1.14 billion—the highest of any imposter scam category. Scammers are increasingly using AI and deepfakes to create fake profiles on dating apps and social media, stealing images and establishing fictitious identities to build trust before requesting money. Experts recommend victims never send money to online contacts they haven't met in person and use reverse image searches to verify profile photos, while recognizing that shame and embarrassment often lead victims to underreport these crimes.
bbc.com
A 42-year-old woman from Harrogate was defrauded of £80,000 in a romance scam involving fake banking websites, where a man she met online posed as a wealthy businessman, gained her trust, and manipulated her into transferring money by claiming his account was frozen and requesting she cover his expenses. The victim had borrowed £50,000 from family members and was subsequently targeted again by additional fraudsters using her compromised banking details, nearly losing another £80,000 before realizing she had been conned.