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in Romance Scams
▶ VIDEO
ABC11
· 2024-03-08
Scammers are stealing photographs and videos of U.S. military service members to create fake online dating profiles and romance scam victims out of thousands of dollars. An Air Force flight chief reports being contacted by one to three women weekly who believed they were in romantic relationships with him, when criminals were actually impersonating him using his stolen images and fabricated backstories about military service and family hardship. The affected service members say they are unable to stop scammers from repeatedly using their identities despite efforts to report the fraud.
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CityNews
· 2024-03-05
Fraudulent activity in Canada increased 133% in 2023, with common scams including Interac e-Transfer fraud, job scams, fake credit card transaction calls, and fraudulent Canada Post delivery messages that are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Those aged 18-24 are more vulnerable to online scams, while people over 45 are more susceptible to email and phone call fraud, with women reporting scams more frequently than men. The scams vary seasonally, with fraudsters adapting their tactics throughout the year.
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WION
· 2024-03-02
Multiple women have fallen victim to Facebook dating scams using the stolen identity of Danish doctor Christian Bing, including a 70-year-old woman from rural Missouri and a Ukrainian woman who left her home after being targeted. Scammers create fake profiles impersonating Bing across social media platforms and dating apps, and the real Bing has accused Meta of failing to remove these fraudulent accounts and called for stronger verification methods to prevent identity theft-based romance fraud.
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WHNT News 19
· 2024-03-02
**Romance Scams: Protection Advice**
Romance scams, where online dating contacts request money, gift cards, or wire transfers, are on the rise according to the Better Business Bureau, with median losses increasing from $900 in 2021 to higher amounts by 2022. Scammers use emotional manipulation tactics like "love bombing" followed by fabricated emergencies (health issues, family deaths) to pressure victims into sending money, and elderly individuals should be particularly cautious. To protect yourself, avoid sending money through gift cards or wire transfers, never share credit card or banking information, and be skeptical of online contacts who quickly request financial assistance.
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8 News Now — Las Vegas
· 2024-03-01
Multiple women have accused Las Vegas reality TV star Liel Birch (also known as "Mocha Blast") of romance scamming them after initiating contact via Facebook with charming messages and promises of monogamous relationships. Birch, who appeared on the show "Life After Lockup," allegedly deceived these women out of money; the investigation emerged following a 2023 incident in which he fatally shot a man during a live YouTube interview, which prosecutors ruled self-defense in a love triangle dispute.
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KFYR-TV
· 2024-02-29
An AARP North Dakota volunteer discusses romance scams and their warning signs, noting that while romance scams affect people of all ages, older adults—particularly those over 70—suffer the largest monetary losses because they typically have greater savings accumulated over their working years. The primary red flag for romance scams is when an unknown person quickly asks for money, such as requesting payment for gift cards or other financial transfers.
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LastWeekTonight
· 2024-02-29
**Pig Butchering Scams Overview**
"Pig Butchering" is a romance/investment scam that typically begins with unsolicited text messages appearing to be sent to the wrong person, establishing false familiarity and trust. Scammers then gradually build relationships with victims and persuade them to invest money in fraudulent cryptocurrency or trading schemes, often resulting in significant financial losses. The scam gets its name from the process of cultivating ("fattening") victims before extracting ("butchering") their money.
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KVUE
· 2024-02-19
Romance scams typically begin online through dating platforms, social media, or messaging apps, with scammers' goal being financial gain. Red flags include declarations of love very quickly, elaborate backstories (such as working in oil/gas or military deployment) to explain communication gaps, and reluctance to video chat; scammers may spend months or even years building trust before requesting money. People should recognize these warning signs early to avoid becoming victims of these prevalent scams.
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WCNC
· 2024-02-17
A Hickory, North Carolina woman fell victim to a romance scam in 2022 after being contacted by a man posing as someone in Africa on LinkedIn, who gradually built trust through emotional manipulation before requesting money for medical expenses. North Carolina ranks ninth nationally for romance scams, with 4,422 victims losing $18 million in 2022, while Americans overall lost over $1 billion to such schemes that year, with scammers increasingly using AI, deepfakes, and voice cloning to deceive victims.
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NBC New York
· 2024-02-16
The FBI issued a warning about online romance scams, reporting that in 2022 alone it received 19,000 complaints totaling $740 million in losses. Scammers troll social media and dating sites to build trust with victims before fabricating emergencies to solicit money, with seniors being of particular concern due to isolation and fixed incomes. The FBI recommends limiting personal information shared online, using established dating platforms, and being cautious of matches who avoid meeting in person or pressure you to communicate exclusively online.