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in Romance Scams
newstribune.com
· 2025-12-08
A Las Vegas woman used online dating apps to target at least four older men, luring them to in-person meetings where she drugged them with sedatives and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in what FBI officials characterized as a "sinister" romance scam. This case demonstrates a predatory variation of romance fraud that combined dating app deception with drug-facilitated theft against vulnerable elderly victims.
bangkokpost.com
· 2025-12-08
Malaysian authorities raided a luxury residence in Kuala Lumpur operating as an international scam call centre, arresting 42 foreign workers including six Thai nationals who were employed to conduct investment, gambling, and romance scams generating approximately 1.13 million baht daily. The suspects, aged 23-54 from multiple countries, confessed to earning around 30,080 baht monthly and targeted victims via Facebook, TikTok, WeChat, Telegram, and WhatsApp across Malaysia and internationally. Police seized 100,000 ringgit in cash along with phones, computers, and scam manuals, while the alleged syndicate leader, a Chinese national, remained at large.
americanbar.org
· 2025-12-08
This article describes a romance scam targeting Casey, a lonely widower who met "Aubrey" in an online gardening chatroom and was gradually manipulated into depositing money into a joint account for cruise tickets, clothing, and a property down payment that never materialized. Research shows that older adults are particularly vulnerable to romance scams, with seniors losing approximately $139 million to this scam category in 2020, and that loneliness can impair cognitive performance and increase susceptibility. The FBI recommends protective measures against romance scams, and the publication is launching a "Scam of the Month" feature to educate readers about fraud tactics.
scmp.com
· 2025-12-08
Aurora Phelps, 43, used online dating apps to target at least four elderly men between 2021 and 2022, drugging them with prescription sedatives and stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars through a scheme the FBI called a "romance scam on steroids." Three victims died, including one whom Phelps allegedly sedated, transported across the U.S.-Mexico border in a wheelchair, and abandoned in a Mexico City hotel room; she also stole their vehicles, drained bank accounts, used credit cards for luxury purchases, and attempted to access their social security and retirement accounts. Phelps, currently in custody in Mexico, faces 21 federal charges including wire fraud,
ktnv.com
· 2025-12-08
A 43-year-old Las Vegas woman, Aurora Phelps, was arrested in Mexico for operating romance scams targeting older men across multiple states from 2019-2022. Phelps met victims on dating sites, gained their trust, drugged them with sedatives, and stole their financial information and bank accounts, with one victim allegedly losing millions in liquidated stock; the FBI identified at least four victims (two from Nevada, one each from Arkansas and Mexico) and believes three U.S. citizens died as a result of her crimes. Phelps faces 21 federal charges including bank fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping resulting in death, and is awaiting extra
murraypioneer.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are increasing among online daters and social media users, with scammers using emotional manipulation and false affection to extract money from victims. The warning advises Riverlanders to exercise caution when forming romantic relationships online and to be alert to common tactics used by fraudsters seeking financial gain.
kyberturvallisuuskeskus.fi
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Romance scams involve criminals posing as fictitious individuals online to build emotional relationships with victims before requesting money. The NCSC-FI advises victims to immediately cease contact with the scammer, contact their bank if money was transferred, document communications, report to police, and seek support from organizations like Victim Support Finland and Nettideittiturva, emphasizing that falling victim is not the victim's fault but rather a result of systematic manipulation.
kcci.com
· 2025-12-08
Aurora Phelps, 43, used online dating apps (Tinder, Hinge, Bumble) to lure at least four older men between 2021-2022, then drugged them with prescription sedatives and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars, including approximately $3.3 million in Apple stock from one victim's E-Trade account. Three of the men died, and Phelps faces 21 federal charges including wire fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping resulting in death; she is currently in custody in Mexico pending extradition. The FBI is seeking additional victims and has created a website for the public to report information about this "romance scam on ster
wmtw.com
· 2025-12-08
Aurora Phelps, 43, used online dating apps including Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble to lure at least four older men to meet her between 2021-2022, then drugged them with prescription sedatives and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars through a "romance scam on steroids." Three of the victims died, and Phelps—currently in custody in Mexico—has been charged with 21 counts including wire fraud, identity theft, and one count of kidnapping resulting in death, with stolen assets including approximately $3.3 million in Apple stock, vehicles, bank account withdrawals, and luxury goods. The FBI is seeking
mor-tv.com
· 2025-12-08
Aurora Phelps, 43, used online dating apps including Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble to lure at least four older men to meet her in 2021-2022, then drugged them with prescription sedatives and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars through a "romance scam on steroids." Three of the victims died, and Phelps, currently in custody in Mexico, faces 21 counts including wire fraud, identity theft, and one count of kidnapping resulting in death; she allegedly stole vehicles, drained bank accounts, used credit cards for luxury purchases, and attempted to access retirement accounts, with one victim losing approximately $3.3 million
southtahoenow.com
· 2025-12-08
Residents of South Lake Tahoe received impersonation scam calls from individuals claiming to be El Dorado County Sheriff's Office representatives demanding payment for alleged missed federal jury duty and threatening arrest warrants. The scammers used spoofed phone numbers, possessed personal information including names and addresses, and instructed victims to pay citations before appearing at the sheriff's office. Law enforcement agencies never contact people by phone regarding warrants or jury duty, and the best defense is to hang up and independently verify any such calls by contacting the official agency directly.
themirror.com
· 2025-12-08
Aurora Phelps, 43, a Nevada woman currently in custody in Mexico, faces 21 counts including wire fraud, identity theft, and one count of kidnapping resulting in death for operating what the FBI called a "romance scam on steroids." Using dating apps like Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble, Phelps targeted at least four men between 2021 and 2022, luring them to meet in person before secretly drugging them with sedatives and stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars through theft of vehicles, bank withdrawals, credit card purchases, and unauthorized access to investment accounts—with three of the victims dying and one victim being transported across the U.
chicagotribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Naperville residents reported losing nearly $5.5 million to scams in 2024, representing a dramatic increase from previous years, according to police authorities. The most common fraud schemes included arrest warrant extortion, "pig butchering" (romance/investment scams), phishing, and online marketplace fraud, with victims ranging from age 15 to 91. Police note that actual losses likely exceed reported figures, as many victims don't report due to shame, and funds paid via gift cards or cryptocurrency are rarely recoverable.
rbcwealthmanagement.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency investments carry substantial risk and have become a prime target for scammers, with crypto-related fraud losses reaching $5.6 billion in 2023, a 45 percent increase from the previous year according to the FBI. Common crypto scams include fake investment opportunities promising guaranteed returns, phishing schemes using counterfeit websites, celebrity endorsement fraud, and Ponzi schemes that recruit investors but misuse funds. Individuals considering cryptocurrency investment should familiarize themselves with these scam tactics and verify the legitimacy of any platform before providing personal information or money.
myfox28columbus.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams use psychological manipulation and fake online profiles to deceive victims into sending money or sharing sensitive information, typically involving scammers who maintain frequent contact, offer excessive flattery, and make excuses to avoid in-person meetings. Warning signs include profiles that seem "too good to be true," claims of military service or remote work commitments, and pressure for quick emotional connection. Zelle and other payment platforms recommend consumer education and technology-based protections to help users identify and avoid these schemes before experiencing emotional and financial losses.
wdsu.com
· 2025-12-08
Aurora Phelps, 43, used dating apps including Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble to lure at least four older men, whom she drugged with sedatives and robbed of hundreds of thousands of dollars between 2021 and 2022; three men died, including one she allegedly transported unconscious across the U.S.-Mexico border. Phelps, currently in custody in Mexico, faces 21 federal charges including wire fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping resulting in death, with authorities believing additional victims exist in both countries. Her victims lost substantial sums including approximately $3.3 million in stolen Apple stock, vehicles, bank account funds, and credit card charges
reviewjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Aurora Phelps, a 43-year-old Las Vegas woman, ran a "romance scam on steroids" targeting elderly victims primarily in their 60s and 70s through online dating applications over more than three years, resulting in at least three deaths. Phelps drugged victims with prescription sedatives and controlled substances, then stole their vehicles, bank accounts, and credit cards; in one case, she liquidated $3.3 million of a victim's Apple stock. She faces a 21-count indictment including wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping charges, is currently incarcerated in Mexico awaiting extradition, and the FBI has
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Alfred's family discovered unusual bank transactions and learned that their father had fallen victim to multiple scams over several years, including romance fraud involving an impostor posing as WWE wrestler Alexa Bliss, as well as advance-fee schemes. Despite his sons' efforts to protect him, Alfred believed he was helping friends in need and paying legitimate bills, leading to family conflict and legal action between father and son over the attempts to stop the fraudulent transactions.
news4sanantonio.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is an educational piece from a law firm outlining five criminal offenses that may occur around Valentine's Day: domestic violence (physical, sexual, emotional abuse), stalking (including cyberstalking and tracking), romance scams (online fraud to extract money or information), sex crimes (sexual assault, indecent exposure), and theft within relationships. The piece explains how each crime is classified and prosecuted in Texas, emphasizing that penalties vary based on severity, prior history, and victim circumstances.
fox5vegas.com
· 2025-12-08
Aurora Phelps, a Las Vegas woman currently incarcerated in Mexico awaiting extradition, has been indicted by federal prosecutors for orchestrating romance scams targeting older men between July 2021 and December 2022. Phelps allegedly lured victims through online dating applications, drugged them with prescription sedatives, and stole millions of dollars through unauthorized access to their bank accounts, brokerage accounts, credit cards, and vehicles; at least three victims died, including one man she allegedly pushed across the border in a wheelchair. She faces multiple federal charges including wire fraud, bank fraud, kidnapping, and kidnapping resulting in death, with a potential life sentence if convicted.
news3lv.com
· 2025-12-08
Aurora Phelps, a 43-year-old Las Vegas woman, has been charged in a 21-count indictment for orchestrating a deadly romance scam targeting older men aged 60-70 between 2019 and 2022. Phelps allegedly lured at least 11 victims through online dating apps, met them in person, drugged them with sedatives, and stole their money, vehicles, and identities; at least three victims died, including one she allegedly sedated and transported across the U.S./Mexico border in a wheelchair. She currently faces charges including wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping resulting in death, with a
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Romance Scam with Drugging and Theft**
Aurora Phelps, a 43-year-old Las Vegas woman, was indicted on 21 counts including wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping for allegedly meeting older men through online dating services, drugging them, and stealing money from their financial accounts between July 2021 and December 2022. Phelps, currently in custody in Mexico, faces up to life in prison if convicted, and the FBI is actively seeking to identify additional victims through an investigative website.
huffpost.com
· 2025-12-08
Aurora Phelps, 43, used online dating apps to lure at least four older men into meeting her, then drugged them with sedatives and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in what authorities called a "romance scam on steroids." Three of the victims died, including one whom Phelps is alleged to have heavily sedated and transported across the U.S.-Mexico border to a Mexico City hotel where he was found dead; a fourth victim awoke from a coma after being given prescription sedatives over a week. Phelps, currently in custody in Mexico and facing 21 federal charges including wire fraud, identity theft, and one count of kidnapping resulting in death,
wbaltv.com
· 2025-12-08
Aurora Phelps, 43, used online dating apps (Tinder, Hinge, Bumble) to target at least four older men in 2021-2022, drugging them with prescription sedatives and stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars through bank accounts, credit cards, and stock sales in what FBI officials described as "romance scam on steroids." Three of the victims died, and Phelps—currently in custody in Mexico—faces 21 federal charges including wire fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping resulting in death, with investigators seeking her extradition and urging additional potential victims to come forward.
2news.com
· 2025-12-08
43-year-old Aurora Phelps of Las Vegas was charged in a 21-count indictment for running a romance scam targeting older men through online dating services between July 2021 and December 2022, during which she allegedly drugged victims and stole from their bank accounts. Phelps, currently in custody in Mexico, faces charges including wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping, with a potential life sentence if convicted on all counts. The FBI is seeking additional victims and has established resources including a dedicated webpage and the National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-372-8311) for those 60 and older who may
cardrates.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission estimates that financial scams against older Americans in 2023 resulted in losses as high as $61.5 billion, with individuals over 60 reporting fraud more frequently than any other age group. Tech support fraud, where criminals impersonate legitimate tech employees to gain access to victims' accounts, is the leading fraud type targeting seniors. Huntington Bank launched a Caregiver Banking program in December 2024 that allows older adults and those needing financial assistance to securely share account access with trusted caregivers or family members to help prevent fraud exploitation.
kob.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warns that romance scams continue to target people seeking relationships online, with scammers building trust to solicit money or banking information from victims. Key prevention measures include never sending money to unknown individuals, moving relationships slowly while asking questions, and immediately ending contact if someone requests financial information. The FBI's Albuquerque office highlighted these concerns as part of broader fraud prevention efforts.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
A 30-year-old Florida man was ordered to pay over $1.1 million for operating EmpiresX, a $100 million cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors across 50+ countries from 2020-2021. The article explains common crypto scams including Ponzi schemes, pig-butchering scams (which combine romance fraud with fake investment schemes), and advises protection strategies such as verifying investment legitimacy, being cautious of unsolicited financial offers, and understanding that cryptocurrency transactions are difficult to reverse or recover.
moonstone.co.za
· 2025-12-08
"Pig butchering" is a rapidly growing romance scam that combines fake romantic connections with cryptocurrency fraud schemes, primarily targeting victims on dating platforms and social media. South Africans lost over R125 million to online dating scammers in 2022, with scammers now using AI and deepfake technology to create increasingly convincing fake profiles and lure victims into fraudulent investment schemes. These operations, run by international crime syndicates that often exploit trafficked workers, build long-term emotional trust before pressuring victims to send cryptocurrency, which is then laundered through shell companies and criminal networks.
royalgazette.com
· 2025-12-08
Bermuda police and banking authorities issued a joint warning about romance scams following approximately 15-20 reported cases over the past year. Scammers build fake romantic relationships online before requesting money for travel costs, emergencies, or other fabricated needs, with some victims losing thousands of dollars; additional extortion variants involve demanding money in exchange for not sharing intimate photos. Authorities advise potential victims to watch for warning signs including rapid relationship progression, requests for wire transfers or cryptocurrency, inconsistencies in profiles, and claims of being stranded overseas.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
A speaker will present "Break Your Bank, Break Your Heart: Avoiding Romance Scams" at the La Canada Community Center on February 28, 2025, addressing the growing threat of romance scams targeting seniors. The presentation will cover the warning signs of romance scams, how to avoid them, recovery strategies, common victim characteristics, and ways to strengthen emotional resilience against these emotionally and financially devastating schemes.
kgun9.com
· 2025-12-08
Green Valley, Arizona authorities warn residents about multiple evolving scams targeting seniors, including voice cloning fraud, impersonation schemes (costing victims $1.1 billion nationally in 2023), romance scams (which cost Arizona residents $47 million over two years), and pornography-related blackmail scams. Experts recommend residents verify suspicious communications through trusted third parties and never share personal information without confirming legitimacy, noting that scammers use urgency tactics and exploit loneliness to manipulate their targets.
nationthailand.com
· 2025-12-08
Metropolitan Police arrested five suspects, including Chinese national "Boss Zhou" and former Thai teacher Alisa, for operating a sophisticated romance scam that defrauded victims of over 91 million baht. The operation created fake online profiles to establish romantic relationships, then coerced victims into investing in a fictitious Singaporean TikTok shop, with funds ultimately laundered through cryptocurrency exchanges. A raid on their Bang Phli residence—identified as the operation's "nerve centre"—uncovered 102 active bank accounts, 70 debit cards, and links to 132 reported fraud cases.
ukiahdailyjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly woman lost money to a romance scam in which an online suitor fabricated emergencies (car accident, medical bills) to request loans totaling over $1,000. The executive director of the Ukiah Senior Center describes this as part of a widespread trend of financial fraud targeting seniors, including romance scams, impersonation schemes (government officials, grandchildren), and lottery scams. The article advises victims to verify requests before sending money, watch for red flags in online relationships, and report suspected fraud to law enforcement or the Federal Trade Commission without shame.
hjnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Box Elder County Sheriff's Office issued a Valentine's Day awareness campaign warning residents about romance scams and catfishing schemes that increase during the holiday season. The advisory recommends exercising caution with online dating matches, particularly those professing quick romantic commitment, and advises against sending money, personal information, or compromising photos to individuals met only online. The Sheriff's Office and FCC recommend using public records and reverse image searches to verify identities and meeting in person before making emotional or financial commitments.
live5news.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP warns that scammers are exploiting cryptocurrency ATMs—machines that resemble regular ATMs and are increasingly found in gas stations and grocery stores—to steal from victims by posing as law enforcement or government officials and pressuring them to withdraw cash and deposit it into Bitcoin ATMs, where funds are instantly converted to untraceable cryptocurrency. One victim lost $80,000 through this scheme, and cryptocurrency scams cost Americans $1 billion in 2024. The AARP advises that any request to pay bills or deposit money through a crypto ATM is always a scam and should be reported to local law enforcement or ic3.gov.
alliancetimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial Advisor Dalsey Lambley presented a scam awareness workshop at the Alliance Public Library, highlighting common fraud types including internet scams, romance scams, collection fraud, and computer intrusion schemes that typically begin with unsolicited contact. Lambley advised attendees to recognize red flags, avoid sharing personal information with unverified online contacts, verify contact numbers independently, and consult trusted friends before responding to urgent requests. The presentation emphasized that scammers exploit emotions like loneliness and fear to pressure victims into quick decisions without careful consideration.
katv.com
· 2025-12-08
This article provides tips from Early Warning on avoiding romance scams, though specific details about the scams or advice are not included in the provided text excerpt. The piece appears to be a brief awareness notice directing readers to additional resources for more information.
womenlovetech.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost Australians $201.1 million in 2023 and over $585 million in 2024, with scammers using psychological manipulation and AI-generated fake profiles to deceive online daters. Tinder released a Romance Scam Awareness Guide identifying red flags such as love-bombing, requests to move conversations off-app, sudden financial requests, and zero digital footprints, while recommending users verify profiles, conduct reverse image searches, keep personal details private, and never send money to online-only contacts. The guide, developed with fraud survivors and cyberpsychologists, complements Tinder's 20+ safety features including AI-powered scam
e.vnexpress.net
· 2025-12-08
Between 2023 and 2024, Kaspersky researchers identified over 5,260 email scams originating from Nigerian groups targeting victims in Vietnam, using increasingly sophisticated tactics that impersonate wealthy individuals, entrepreneurs, and lottery directors to extract money through romance scams, fake investment opportunities, and requests for travel or shipping costs. In a related case, Vietnamese police arrested 50 conspirators operating romance scams through fake Facebook accounts posing as successful entrepreneurs, targeting middle-aged single women and convincing them to invest in Bitcoin under the guise of romantic relationships. Experts warn these scams employ social engineering and emotional manipulation to build trust, and recommend victims verify information carefully, avoid sharing personal an
iomtoday.co.im
· 2025-12-08
Sixteen Isle of Man residents reported being victims of dating scams to Action Fraud between 2020 and 2024, contributing to an estimated £409.7 million in losses across the British Isles from romance fraud during this five-year period. Victims lost an average of over £10,000 each, with the psychological and emotional impact often leaving victims isolated due to shame and stigma. The scams affected people across all age groups, though victims were more likely to be middle-aged.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
Annette Ford, a 57-year-old Australian woman, lost approximately AUD 780,000 (Rs 4.3 crore) to two separate online romance scams between 2018 and 2022. The first scammer, posing as "William," extracted over AUD 300,000 by claiming to need emergency funds for various crises, while the second, "Nelson," obtained AUD 280,000 by falsely claiming to work with the FBI and directing her to make Bitcoin transactions. Ford is now homeless and dependent on disability support benefits after depleting her superannuation and home sale proceeds.
mad-daily.com
· 2025-12-08
ANZ Bank and TBWA\New Zealand launched an awareness campaign called "Scammers Bloom" on Valentine's Day, featuring deliberately foul-smelling roses at an Auckland pop-up to highlight the growing problem of online romance scams. The campaign used clever messaging and Valentine's cards to educate the public about romance scam tactics and warning signs, generating significant social media buzz and directing visitors to ANZ's scam prevention resources. The initiative aimed to raise awareness that romance scams often involve deceptive online relationships that appear genuine but are fraudulent schemes targeting vulnerable people.
asahi.com
· 2025-12-08
Japanese and Nigerian police jointly dismantled a fraud ring that defrauded 14 Japanese victims of 150 million yen ($986,000) between 2022-2023 through social media investment and romance scams, with perpetrators posing as astronauts, military personnel, and doctors to solicit funds. Nigerian authorities arrested 11 nationals whose bank accounts received victim funds, while Japanese police apprehended 9 individuals who converted stolen money into cryptocurrency; this marks the first time overseas suspects were arrested based on Japanese authorities' information. The investigation, coordinated by Interpol across 21 nations, uncovered a Nigeria-based syndicate converting victim funds through cryptocurrency exchanges,
news5cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, romance scams resulted in $823 million in losses according to the Federal Trade Commission, with scammers increasingly using AI chatbots on dating apps and social media to make fraudulent schemes more convincing and personalized. Older adults are particularly vulnerable targets because scammers assume they have financial stability and retirement savings. Red flags include rapid relationship progression, no in-person meetings, and repeated money requests; victims should report suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
regtechtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams, where fraudsters create fake profiles on dating apps and social media to manipulate victims emotionally and extract money, have increased 14% globally in 2024 with over 1,193 new scam profiles detected. The United States (38%), Nigeria (14%), and India (12%) are the most affected countries, with scammers employing tactics like "love bombing," fake personas, and blackmail to exploit victims over weeks or months. Tech companies including Meta, Tinder, Bumble, and Google are implementing AI-powered detection systems, safety notices, and content filters to identify and remove fraudulent accounts and warn users of suspicious activity.
coppercourier.com
· 2025-12-08
Online romance scams in Arizona resulted in over $47 million in losses during 2022-2023, with victims ranging from elderly individuals to people in their 30s, making the state the fifth-highest in the nation for such fraud. Key warning signs include scammers professing "instant love," quickly moving communication off dating platforms, refusing to share photos, and requesting money, sometimes stringing victims along for extended periods. Law enforcement and AARP Arizona warn that scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence and new technology to impersonate people, and encourage vigilance especially around Valentine's Day when people are most vulnerable to romance-based fraud.
chainstoreage.com
· 2025-12-08
A December 2024 survey of 1,001 U.S. consumers found that Americans across all age groups are falling victim to evolving scams tailored to their demographics: Gen Z faces fake job offers, verification code scams, and account cloning, while baby boomers (ages 60-78) are particularly vulnerable to delivery scams, romance scams, and prize/gift card fraud. Of those who encountered scams in the past two years, one-fifth lost money, with 76% losing up to $1,000 and 6% losing more than $5,000, with business owners and self-employed workers experiencing the highest loss rates (40-43%).
whitehallledger.com
· 2025-12-08
The Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance has issued a warning about the rising threat of romance scams in the state, where scammers use fake online profiles to build trust and solicit money from victims. According to the Federal Trade Commission, romance scams caused $823 million in losses nationwide through September 2024, with Montana ranking seventh highest in per capita internet crime losses in 2023, partly due to geographical isolation and residents' trusting nature. The CSI advises Montanans to be skeptical of online contacts who avoid in-person meetings or request money, consult trusted friends and family, and report suspected fraud to csimt.gov or 406-444-3815.
indianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
Annette Ford, a 57-year-old Australian, lost approximately ₹4.2 crore (AUD $580,000) to two separate romance scams after joining the dating site Plenty of Fish in 2018. The first scammer, posing as "William," extracted ₹1.6 crore over time through fabricated emergencies, while a second scammer, "Nelson," induced her to use Bitcoin ATMs to transfer ₹2.5 crore, leaving her homeless and couch-surfing. In 2023, Australia recorded over 3,200 romance scams resulting in nearly ₹130 crore in