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the420.in
This curated cybercrime report highlights multiple fraud threats affecting vulnerable populations globally. Notable cases include a Karnataka senior citizen rescued from a digital arrest scam through interstate police coordination, a Himachal Pradesh bank losing ₹11 crore to hackers, and a Panchkula resident losing ₹3.5 lakh in an online trading investment scam initiated via fraudulent Facebook contact. The report also documents emerging cybercriminal techniques including fileless malware delivery, sophisticated DDoS attacks, and large-scale cryptocurrency theft operations, underscoring the need for enhanced digital security awareness and swift law enforcement response to protect citizens from evolving fraud schemes.
mondaq.com
This is not an elder fraud news article. The document is a May 2025 Department of Justice policy memorandum outlining white-collar crime enforcement priorities for the Trump administration. While the memorandum lists "elder fraud" as one of several high-impact areas for prosecution alongside securities fraud, investment fraud, and Ponzi schemes, it provides no specific case information, victim details, or dollar amounts related to elder fraud incidents. This is a policy/enforcement guidance document rather than reporting on an actual fraud case or elder abuse event.
thetimes.com
Scam compounds in Bavet, Cambodia operate forced labor operations where thousands of trafficked workers—many lured under false pretenses—are coerced into perpetrating romance and investment fraud schemes against international victims, particularly British, American, and Australian adults, using a tactic called "pig-butchering" that builds trust before extracting large sums of money. Workers, including minors, face beatings, electrocution, and torture for failing to meet daily quotas, with the UN estimating over 100,000 people held in such compounds generating billions in annual revenue for organized crime networks influenced by Chinese mafia organizations. A 15-year-old Vietnamese girl was trafficked to
yahoo.com
**Elder fraud epidemic:** Americans age 60+ lost over $3 billion to scammers in 2023, with elder fraud complaints to the FBI rising 14% year-over-year. Older adults are targeted due to their financial assets, trust levels, and often limited familiarity with technology, and they experience not only financial losses but also trauma, shame, and mental health consequences from being victimized.
newsbreak.com
Marin County authorities arrested two individuals in separate elder fraud schemes involving fake FBI agents who convinced seniors their bank accounts were under investigation. In the first case, a victim lost $25,000 before becoming suspicious when scammers pressured her to buy gold; suspect Zian Hu, 38, was arrested in Daly City and faces grand theft and elder abuse charges with bail set at $1 million. In a second similar case, Balraj Singh, 24, was arrested in Torrance before successfully collecting $50,000 from another elderly victim and faces attempted grand theft and conspiracy charges with bail denied.
legalreader.com
Texas man Chas Carrier, operating a "We Buy Ugly Houses" franchise, defrauded dozens of retirees by soliciting investment in real estate deals with promises of guaranteed monthly payments and high returns, while secretly leveraging the same properties multiple times and misrepresenting collateral. Victims including Ronald Carver, who invested $700,000 with his father, lost millions in retirement savings when payments stopped in 2024, with one investor's father dying shortly after learning of the loss. Despite red flags dating to 2016 and warnings from title insurance companies by 2020, the HomeVestors franchisor claimed no responsibility, and Carrier only confessed when
jdsupra.com
The Department of Justice's Criminal Division issued a memorandum outlining new enforcement priorities for white-collar crime prosecution under the "focus" tenet, which directs prosecutors to concentrate on cases posing significant threats to U.S. interests. Elder fraud, securities fraud, health care fraud, money laundering, and crimes targeting U.S. investors are among the prioritized areas, with emphasis on cases involving senior-level personnel, demonstrable losses, and victim compensation through asset forfeiture. The Department also expanded its Corporate Whistleblower Awards Program to incentivize reporting of fraud in these priority areas.
jdsupra.com
The U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division announced updated white-collar enforcement policies on May 12, 2025, focusing on ten high-impact areas including health care fraud, securities fraud, Ponzi schemes, and money laundering. The revised Corporate Enforcement Policy offers greater incentives for companies that voluntarily self-report misconduct, fully cooperate, and remediate, while also expanding opportunities for corporate whistleblowers. The DOJ's renewed emphasis on corporate criminal enforcement prioritizes cases involving senior-level personnel, demonstrable financial losses, and obstruction of justice, indicating continued robust prosecution despite earlier speculation of reduced white-collar enforcement activity.
scmp.com
This article discusses rising scams targeting young people in Hong Kong, including fake online shopping deals, gaming account fraud, and sextortion schemes on social media platforms. Notable cases include a University of Hong Kong student who lost HK$9.2 million in a phone scam and a teenager defrauded of HK$3,000 for fake concert tickets. Experts emphasize that cybersafety education starting in primary school is essential to prevent scams, and victims should report incidents to police, block scammers, change passwords, and preserve evidence.
yahoo.com
A Connecticut woman lost approximately $100,000 in a romance scam involving a man who claimed to be named John Gilbert and said he needed money to escape a dangerous situation while working on a ship in the Gulf of Mexico. The Connecticut Better Business Bureau confirmed this was the highest romance scam loss recorded in the state during 2024, and authorities are investigating the perpetrator while the victim has recovered some funds. Experts advise meeting potential romantic partners in person frequently and avoiding payment methods like prepaid debit cards, cash apps, or peer-to-peer payment services.
uk.news.yahoo.com
**Article:** Elder fraud has reached epidemic proportions – a geriatrician explains what older Americans need to know
Americans age 60 and older lost over $3 billion to scammers in 2023, with elder fraud complaints to the FBI increasing 14% year-over-year, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. Older adults are targeted because they tend to be trusting, have financial savings and assets, and may be less comfortable with technology, making them vulnerable to tech-support scams, romance scams, investment fraud, and call-center schemes—with investment scams being the costliest category. Beyond financial losses, fraud victims often experience trauma
thefutoncritic.com
ABC News Studios announced a three-part docuseries titled "Hey Beautiful: Anatomy of a Romance Scam" premiering May 20 on Hulu, which follows three women—Annette, Roxy, and Gaby—who were defrauded by the same online romance scammer posing as a handsome man. The series documents their discovery of the elaborate scam, their efforts to uncover the scammer's true identity, and their pursuit of justice, highlighting how online scammers stole a record $16.6 billion in 2024 using increasingly sophisticated tactics including AI and deepfake technology to target vulnerable individuals seeking connection.
laughingplace.com
ABC News Studios is releasing a three-part docuseries titled "Hey Beautiful: Anatomy of a Romance Scam" on Hulu, following three women—Annette, Roxy, and Gaby—who were each romantically scammed by the same man and lost money in an elaborate fraud scheme before joining forces to identify the perpetrator. The series highlights the growing threat of romance scams, as online scammers stole a record $16.6 billion in 2024, with increasingly sophisticated tactics using AI and deepfake technology to deceive vulnerable people seeking connection online.
loveballymena.online
A woman from Newtownards, Northern Ireland was defrauded of £15,000 in a romance scam after meeting a fraudster on a dating site who built trust over several months before requesting money on three separate occasions. Police warn that romance scammers typically create fake profiles, establish emotional connections, then move conversations to private messaging apps before requesting money under false pretenses such as investments or emergencies. The PSNI advises victims to keep communications on official dating platforms, verify identities independently, never send money to people they haven't met in person, and report suspicious activity immediately to authorities.
lexology.com
On May 12, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice announced new enforcement priorities for white collar crime prosecution, emphasizing a balanced approach between prosecuting corporate wrongdoing and minimizing burdens on businesses. The announcement identifies 10 high-impact focus areas for prosecutors, including healthcare fraud, trade/customs fraud, and notably elder fraud schemes involving investment fraud and Ponzi schemes. The DOJ's revised guidance emphasizes fairness through alternatives to prosecution and efficiency in investigations, representing a significant shift in the current administration's approach to white collar enforcement.
afslaw.com
The U.S. Department of Justice announced updated white-collar enforcement priorities, identifying 10 "high-impact areas" for prosecution including investment fraud, elder fraud, health care fraud, and market manipulation schemes. The announcement included revised policies for corporate enforcement, voluntary self-disclosure, and a whistleblower awards program designed to incentivize reporting of misconduct and provide fairer, more transparent prosecution standards.
dgepress.com
ABC News Studios announced a new three-part docuseries titled "Hey Beautiful: Anatomy of a Romance Scam" premiering May 20, 2025, on Hulu, which follows three women (Annette, Roxy, and Gaby) who were defrauded by the same online romance scammer posing as a handsome man. The docuseries highlights how scammers use increasingly sophisticated tactics, including AI and deepfake technology, to exploit vulnerable individuals seeking connection online, in the context of record online scam losses of $16.6 billion in 2024, a 33% increase year-over-year according to FBI data.
collider.com
ABC News Studios' documentary series "Hey Beautiful: Anatomy of a Romance Scam" (premiering May 20 on Hulu) follows three women—Annette, Roxy, and Gaby—who were defrauded by an online romance scammer operating under multiple aliases who manipulated them into sending their life savings by posing as a charming suitor. The series highlights the growing epidemic of romance scams, with online scammers stealing a record $16.6 billion in 2024 (a 33% increase from the previous year), and examines how victims are targeted while pursuing connection online.
thepress.net
The county issued a public awareness warning about ten common phone and internet scams targeting residents, including grandparent scams, government imposter schemes, technology support fraud, romance scams, charity fraud, lottery scams, investment schemes, home repair fraud, phishing emails and texts, and utility payment scams. The advisory educates the public on how to identify and recognize these fraudulent tactics to protect themselves from financial loss and identity theft.
cyberscoop.com
The FBI warned of an ongoing campaign since April targeting current and former U.S. government officials with phishing texts and AI-generated deepfake audio impersonating senior officials to gain access to personal accounts. The advisory highlights the growing use of deepfake technology in fraud schemes, exemplified by a 2024 incident where a political consultant faced a $6 million FCC fine and criminal charges for creating a deepfake of President Biden to suppress votes. The FBI recommends not assuming messages from senior officials are authentic and advises standard security measures including multifactor authentication and identity verification through official phone numbers.
nbcmiami.com
Law enforcement agencies in Miami-Dade are warning of an increasing number of AI-powered scams targeting residents, particularly elderly individuals, using sophisticated deepfakes and spoofed calls impersonating police and other authorities to demand money. Florida ranks third nationally for investment fraud, with cryptocurrency scams being the most common type, and authorities caution that as AI technology advances, criminals will exploit it further. Victims are advised to question unsolicited demands for money, verify caller identity independently by calling back through official channels, and avoid sharing personal information without thorough research.
mynews4.com
Two men were arrested in Reno on May 14, 2025, for operating a "pig butchering" elder fraud scheme that defrauded victims of millions across northern Nevada and California. The scam involved impersonating federal law enforcement to convince elderly victims their assets were under investigation, coercing them into withdrawing cash and gold bullion for fake "agents"; a 64-year-old Truckee victim alone lost hundreds of thousands of dollars before suspects were caught attempting to collect a package worth over $213,000. Amit Bhanwala-Singh and Anil Kumar were charged with obtaining money under false pretenses and exploiting an older person.
nbcsandiego.com
Two suspects were arrested in Carlsbad, California for separate elder fraud schemes totaling over $140,000 in losses. The scams involved fake pop-up alerts and impersonation of legitimate agencies (Apple Security, Wells Fargo, FTC) that convinced elderly victims to withdraw cash and gold bullion, place them in taped shoe boxes, and hand them to couriers posing as federal agents. Tang Chen and Gurjant Singh were arrested after police intervened, with authorities emphasizing that victims should verify suspicious requests independently by contacting agencies directly rather than using numbers or emails provided in unsolicited communications.
newskarnataka.com
A married couple lost ₹37.79 lakh in a fraudulent blockchain investment scheme perpetrated by Bryan D'Souza, Deril, Flavy, and Sachin Carlos, who promised fixed monthly returns of $2,400 over 20 months through an investment in "US Business World Hydrus 7 Blockchain Technology." The couple made payments between February 2021 and November 2022 but received only a single ₹1.74 lakh payout in December 2022, with no subsequent returns or principal refund. This case highlights how scammers exploit blockchain terminology to deceive investors with false promises of high yields.
recordcourier.com
A scam awareness seminar presented by the Better Business Bureau and Douglas County Sheriff's Office emphasized that fraud can affect anyone regardless of age, though seniors are disproportionately targeted due to having savings, home ownership, and good credit. Key scam tactics include robocalls, identity theft, and cryptocurrency investment schemes that use fear and urgency to pressure victims into immediate payment, with Nevada ranking fourth in fraud reports and third in identity theft cases. Protection strategies include regularly monitoring financial statements, reporting suspected fraud to relevant companies and agencies, and utilizing free resources like IdentityTheft.gov to create recovery plans.
newsweek.com
The FBI reported that internet-related crime reached a five-year high in 2024, with victims losing $16.6 billion across approximately 860,000 complaints—a 33% increase from 2023. Individuals aged 60 and older suffered the largest financial losses at $4.8 billion, with the most common scams being phishing/spoofing, cryptocurrency fraud, and extortion, while investment fraud, business email compromise, and tech support fraud were the costliest schemes overall.
wktn.com
**Type:** Educational awareness piece
**Summary:** Millions of elderly Americans lose over $3 billion annually to financial fraud schemes including romance, lottery, and sweepstakes scams, with criminals building trust through online, phone, and mail contact. Seniors are frequently targeted due to their trusting nature, and many victims fail to report fraud due to shame, uncertainty about reporting procedures, or fear of losing their family's confidence in their financial independence. The article encourages victims to contact their local FBI field office for assistance.
mwe.com
This document outlines the US Department of Justice's updated White-Collar Enforcement Plan announced in May 2025, which aims to balance corporate criminal enforcement with reducing burden on businesses. The revised approach maintains focus on priority areas including fraud (healthcare, federal programs, securities, and elder fraud), trade/customs violations, and national security threats, while implementing changes such as fee caps on monitors, shorter investigation timelines, and increased opportunities for early case termination. The policy shift reflects the administration's view that previous enforcement strategies were too costly to American enterprise, though DOJ reaffirms its commitment to white-collar crime prosecution.
troutman.com
On May 12, 2025, the DOJ's Criminal Division announced updated white-collar enforcement priorities and policies, including a revised Corporate Enforcement Policy and expanded Corporate Whistleblower Awards Program. The Division's new focus areas include rooting out fraud against government programs (healthcare, procurement), trade fraud, elder fraud, investment fraud (Ponzi schemes, securities fraud), and crimes involving transnational criminal organizations and money laundering. Companies are advised to strengthen compliance programs, internal reporting mechanisms, and review hiring practices and government program participation to align with the Division's heightened enforcement priorities.
natlawreview.com
On May 12, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice released new white-collar crime enforcement priorities emphasizing three core principles: focus, fairness, and efficiency. The memo identifies healthcare fraud and federal program fraud as top priorities, with elder fraud and Ponzi schemes listed among the "high-impact areas" targeting vulnerable victims, while also directing prosecutors to prioritize prosecuting individuals over corporations and to conduct efficient investigations that minimize unnecessary burdens on businesses.
cnet.com
This article provides guidance on reporting fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), emphasizing that victims should report scams even without monetary loss, as only 38% of 2024 fraud reports involved actual financial damage. Reporting helps law enforcement identify trends, catch criminals, and educate the public about popular scams through data analysis and alerts. Victims can file complaints at reportfraud.ftc.gov and ic3.gov, which feed into law enforcement databases used by thousands of agencies nationwide to build cases against fraudsters.
youralaskalink.com
The FBI's 2024 Internet Crime Report documented 6,770 online fraud complaints in Alaska totaling over $26 million in losses, with residents over 60 experiencing the highest financial impact, particularly from cryptocurrency scams comprising 45% of losses. Investment fraud, business email compromise, and tech support fraud were the top scam types in the state, with the FBI urging residents to report incidents to their financial institutions and the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
detroitnews.com
Mohammad Gazi, 49, of Warren, was charged with defrauding a Waterford Township senior of over $40,000 through a computer security scam in which he posed as a representative and instructed the victim to withdraw and hand over cash in multiple transactions. In a separate case, Vedantkumar Bhupenbhai Patel, 25, of Toledo, was charged with scamming an elderly Macomb County couple out of $50,000 via a fraudulent email claiming they had pending child pornography charges and instructing them to withdraw cash for a supposed U.S. Treasury agent pickup.
spectrumnews1.com
A Wisconsin woman lost over $500,000 to a romance scam, the fourth-largest amount lost to such fraud in the U.S., after meeting a man on a dating app who posed as an international oil rig worker and repeatedly requested money for emergencies. According to Nasdaq Verafrin, romance scams cost $3.8 billion globally in 2023, making them among the world's fastest-growing frauds. The victim, who had mortgaged her home and taken loans against her vehicles to send the money over seven months, eventually reported the scam to law enforcement with assistance from the Dane County Sheriff, FBI, and Internet Crime Complaint Center.
dailypress.net
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued consumer alerts about a rising trend of scams impersonating celebrities (Snoop Dogg, Garth Brooks, Kid Rock) and military leaders. The scams include romance fraud, cryptocurrency/pig butchering schemes, merchandise fraud, and AI-generated deepfake audio and video impersonations designed to extract money from victims. The alert advises consumers never to send money or personal information to online contacts claiming to be celebrities or officials, to verify requests through trusted contacts, and to be wary of urgent investment opportunities or requests for banking details.
morganlewis.com
The U.S. Department of Justice announced revised criminal enforcement priorities on May 12, 2025, continuing to prioritize prosecution of fraud and abuse of government programs including Medicare, Medicaid, and healthcare fraud, as well as complex frauds such as Ponzi schemes, investment fraud, elder fraud, and securities fraud. The new policy emphasizes three core tenets—focus, fairness, and efficiency—while balancing effective prosecution of corporate and white-collar crimes with minimizing unnecessary burdens on American businesses. The memorandum also reiterates the importance of corporate compliance programs in determining appropriate enforcement actions.
wzzm13.com
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned of a surge in scams where fraudsters impersonate celebrities like Garth Brooks, Snoop Dogg, and Kid Rock, as well as military officials, to steal money from victims. The scams typically involve romance schemes, cryptocurrency/"pig butchering" investment frauds, and merchandise purchases, with scammers increasingly using AI-generated deepfakes to create convincing audio and video impersonations. The attorney general advised consumers never to send money to online contacts, avoid sharing personal or financial information with strangers, and to be wary of high-pressure tactics, unusual payment requests, and demands for gift cards or cryptocurrency.
michigan.gov
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned consumers about a rising trend of scams impersonating celebrities (including Snoop Dogg, Garth Brooks, and Kid Rock) and military leaders to defraud victims. The scams include romance schemes, cryptocurrency/pig butchering investment frauds, and merchandise scams, often using AI-generated deepfakes to appear authentic. Nessel advised consumers never to send money to online contacts claiming to be celebrities, to verify requests through trusted contacts, and to avoid sharing personal or financial information with unverified online sources.
fox47news.com
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned of a surge in online scams where perpetrators impersonate celebrities (Snoop Dogg, Garth Brooks, Kid Rock) and military/government officials to defraud victims. Common schemes include romance scams, cryptocurrency/pig butchering fraud, merchandise scams, and AI-generated deepfake calls, with scammers using high-pressure tactics and requests for money via untraceable methods like gift cards and cryptocurrency. The advisory recommends never sending money to online contacts, verifying identities through official channels, and avoiding sharing personal or financial information with unverified online sources.
mlive.com
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a public advisory warning residents about increasingly common celebrity impersonation scams, in which fraudsters pose as famous figures like Snoop Dogg, Garth Brooks, and Kid Rock to deceive victims into sending money. Common schemes include romance scams (where victims believe they're in relationships with celebrities and send substantial sums), cryptocurrency/investment scams, and merchandise fraud; one notable case involved a French woman who sent over $800,000 to someone impersonating Brad Pitt. Nessel advises never sending money to online contacts, avoiding pressure to rush into relationships, and consulting trusted contacts before engaging with strangers on social media.
wnem.com
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a consumer alert warning of an uptick in celebrity impersonation scams, where fraudsters pose as celebrities like Snoop Dogg, Kid Rock, and Garth Brooks to steal money through romance scams, cryptocurrency schemes, and merchandise fraud. The scams often exploit victims on dating apps and social media by building fake relationships or promoting fake investment opportunities, with scammers using AI to create convincing voice and video impersonations. The AG recommends victims avoid sending money to online contacts, verify caller information independently, and report scams to the Department of Attorney General.
clickondetroit.com
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a warning about increasing celebrity impersonation scams targeting state residents, involving fraudsters posing as celebrities like Snoop Dogg, Garth Brooks, and military leaders to perpetrate romance scams, cryptocurrency "pig butchering" schemes, and merchandise fraud. Common tactics include creating deepfake audio and videos, using high-pressure tactics and fear appeals, and requesting money, sensitive information, or unusual payment methods. The attorney general advises victims to avoid sending money to online contacts, never share personal or financial information with strangers online, and report suspected scams to Michigan's Consumer Protection Team.
wilx.com
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned of an uptick in celebrity-impersonation scams where fraudsters pose as famous figures like Snoop Dogg and Garth Brooks to steal money through romance scams, cryptocurrency/investment schemes, or merchandise fraud. The AG advised residents to never send money or personal information to online contacts claiming to be celebrities, and to verify requests through official channels before responding.
pymnts.com
A PYMNTS Intelligence and Featurespace report examining over 10,000 U.S. consumers reveals that scammers increasingly use personalized, sophisticated tactics targeting specific vulnerabilities across generations rather than employing generic approaches. Generation Z faces higher risks from employment and social media fraud, while older generations are disproportionately targeted by fake eCommerce and sweepstakes scams—with baby boomers and seniors experiencing eCommerce fraud at three times the rate of Gen Z. The report emphasizes that financial institutions must implement dynamic defenses, advanced analytics, and consumer training to combat these evolving threats that exploit psychological manipulation and consumer trust.
valpo.life
Americans lose $10 billion annually to scams, with older adults being particularly vulnerable due to lower confidence in recognizing fraudulent schemes and varying levels of tech-savviness. Common scams targeting seniors include tech support fraud, sweetheart scams (which cost people over 60 nearly $367 million in 2023), imposter scams, advance fee scams, investment scams, gift card scams, emergency wire transfers, and phishing attempts. To protect yourself, understand how scams operate—scammers pose as trusted entities and create urgent situations to pressure you into sharing money or personal information—and avoid clicking unknown links, verify requests by calling institutions directly, and be skeptical of
justice.gov
Kenneth Richmond, a 64-year-old New Orleans resident, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for a 2022 scheme in which he and an accomplice used fake and stolen personal information to fraudulently purchase vehicles from a local dealership, including financing a Dodge Challenger with a victim's stolen identity. The fraud caused approximately $124,031.41 in losses to the dealership, with several financed loans defaulting. Richmond faces up to 20 years in prison plus a mandatory consecutive 2-year sentence, with sentencing scheduled for August 14, 2025.
daijiworld.com
A 73-year-old man from Kasargod lost Rs 42.41 lakh after investing in a fraudulent online trading platform on February 29, 2025, with cyber police now investigating the case. The article advises that vigilance is essential to avoid such scams: never share banking details or OTPs, disregard threats of "digital arrest" (which does not exist in Indian law), and report suspected scams to authorities immediately.
nkytribune.com
U.S. consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from the prior year, with investment scams accounting for $5.7 billion in losses. Adults aged 60+ are particularly vulnerable, having lost $3.4 billion in 2023 alone to scams including tech support, grandparent, and government impersonation schemes. The article recommends consumers verify caller identity by hanging up and calling their bank directly, never share account credentials or one-time access codes, and ignore unsolicited payment requests, as legitimate banks will never ask for such information.
podcasts.apple.com
This is a podcast description, not a news article about a specific fraud event. However, it describes **The Lost Caribbean Millions**, a podcast series about David Ames' Harlequin investment scheme in which over 8,000 investors lost approximately £400 million between the 1990s-2000s by investing in promised Caribbean luxury resort properties that were never delivered. The funds were misused for pirate ships, failed infrastructure projects, and excessive sales commissions, resulting in one of Britain's largest investment frauds that took a decade for authorities to prosecute.
express.co.uk
Nationwide Building Society warns that romance scams result in victims rarely recovering their money, with scammers typically disappearing after funds are sent. In 2022, romance fraud cost UK victims £31.3 million, with 29% of online daters reporting being asked for money by someone they haven't met in person, and over half complying with these requests. The institution advises victims to immediately contact their bank with evidence and outlines seven prevention steps, including staying on reputable platforms, avoiding money discussions before meeting in person, conducting background research on potential matches, and consulting trusted friends or family about new relationships.