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in Romance Scam
thescottishsun.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Kirsten Wood, a 65-year-old widow from Glasgow, lost £150,000 over two years to a romance scam perpetrated by a fraudster who posed as "Steve from Burnley" on Match.com, exploiting her vulnerability following the deaths of her husband and son. The scammer employed emotional manipulation with fabricated sob stories about a sick child and legal troubles to extract money via MoneyGram, and escalated to threats when questioned, eventually revealing he was actually from Nigeria. Wood was unable to recover her losses because she reported the fraud to her bank too long after the 2016-2017 scam occurred.
cxotoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams, increasingly enhanced by generative AI to create convincing messages, are surging globally with a 400% increase in romance-related fraud in India, where 39% of dating app users encountered scammers and 78% of women faced fake profiles. Vulnerable populations including elderly individuals, military personnel, and those seeking financial relationships are targeted through fake profiles, cryptocurrency investment schemes ("romance baiting"), and fake recovery scams that exploit emotional manipulation and are difficult to reverse, especially when cryptocurrency is involved. The best defense is skepticism toward requests for money from people never met in person, with victims advised to report incidents to law enforcement immediately.
monroenews.com
· 2025-12-08
Monroe Community Credit Union reports that fraud cases in Monroe County are doubling year-over-year, with criminals increasingly using artificial intelligence and spoofing tactics to target victims of all ages. The latest scams include AI-generated voice clones of loved ones, fake fraud alerts impersonating financial institutions, local number spoofing, and tech support scams, alongside traditional schemes like phishing, romance scams, and grandparent scams. The credit union advises residents to never share full Social Security numbers or online banking credentials with callers, verify unexpected calls by hanging up and calling back using verified numbers, and scrutinize email addresses, URLs, and website security features before providing personal information.
montgomeryadvertiser.com
· 2025-12-08
Social Security scammers typically use four tactics: impersonating trusted agencies, claiming problems or prizes exist, pressuring immediate action, and requesting payment via gift cards. A scam survivor shares her experience losing $39,000 to a romance scam, while the Social Security Administration provides resources on recognizing scams and protecting personal information through their website and SSA Talks audio series.
thefinanser.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams increased 30% in the previous year, with men comprising 53% of victims and those aged 65-74 most frequently targeted; notable cases include a French woman who lost over $1 million to an imposter and victims featured in the Netflix documentary "The Tinder Swindler." Lovesaid, a non-profit organization founded by romance fraud survivors Cecilie Fjellhøy and Anna Rowe, addresses the issue by providing emotional support and practical resources to victims while simultaneously advocating for systemic changes in how financial institutions and technology companies prevent and respond to romance fraud.
asianbankingandfinance.net
· 2025-12-08
Romance scam-linked entities reached a six-year high in 2024, with 1,193 new profiles globally (a 14% increase from 2023), exposing banks to significant reputational risks and regulatory fines as criminals attempt to launder proceeds through the traditional financial system. The United States accounted for 38% of new romance scam profiles, followed by Nigeria (14%) and India (12%), with notable surges in Malaysia (64 profiles in 2024 vs. 6 in 2023) and the Philippines (45 vs. 10). The rise has been linked to pandemic-era isolation and increased online vulnerability, with romance scam profiles in
sowetanlive.co.za
· 2025-12-08
A 66-year-old pensioner from South Africa was robbed of R2,000 (her and her mother's old age grants) by a man she met on the dating app Badoo; he gained her trust through online dating, accompanied her to withdraw the money, then stole her purse during their first in-person date and disappeared. Romance scams are rising in South Africa, particularly targeting older single women and widows through fake online relationships built to exploit emotional vulnerability and extract money or personal information, with international reports indicating up to 3% of Europe's population has fallen victim to such schemes.
upnorthlive.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece from Forest Area FCU's Fraud Prevention Committee outlines how to identify romance scams and protect yourself from becoming a victim. The article highlights red flags associated with romance scams, where scammers pose as potential romantic partners to extract money from victims, and provides guidance on what steps to take if you suspect you've been targeted by a romance scammer.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams have surged online and offline, with 52% of people who met someone online experiencing scams or being pressured for gifts, while 39% of Indians encountered scammers on dating apps and 77% saw AI-generated fake profiles. Scammers use AI-generated images, deepfakes, and chatbots to create convincing fake identities—such as one case where a 53-year-old French woman lost ₹7.5 crore to fraudsters posing as Brad Pitt—and have expanded to offline "dine-and-dash" schemes where restaurants and hired accomplices pressure victims into expensive bills. The rise of generative AI
nbcchicago.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using AI technology and stolen photos to perpetrate romance scams on dating apps, with one NBC Chicago journalist discovering his images had been used fraudulently for years to con victims—including one woman in the Philippines out of $10,000. According to a Norton report, 27% of dating app users have seen their own photos used by fake profiles, and less than half of people surveyed could distinguish real images from AI-generated ones. Social media platforms have limited responsiveness to fraud reports, though the article provides protective measures including reverse image searches, private profiles, and reporting impostor accounts directly to platforms.
thirteen.org
· 2025-12-08
Online romance scams exploit digital connections through fake profiles and texts to defraud billions of dollars annually from Americans. These scams work by building trust with victims to manipulate them into sending money, with certain populations being more vulnerable to this form of fraud than others.
local3news.com
· 2025-12-08
Elderly people aged 60 and older lost approximately $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, an 11% increase from the previous year, with seniors targeted because they hold significant wealth and are susceptible to increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics. The most common scams affecting seniors include romance scams (averaging $2,000 per victim), investment/cryptocurrency scams, gift card scams, texting scams, home improvement scams, and imposter scams, which often involve refined variations of traditional schemes rather than entirely new tactics. Experts recommend staying connected with elderly loved ones and remaining vigilant about suspicious offers that create artificial time pressure or build false relationships, as scammers exploit lon
gulfnews.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly European woman lost nearly 12 million dirhams in savings to a romantic scam in which an African-based fraudster posed as a wealthy Dubai businessman, emotionally manipulating her into selling all her assets and relocating to Dubai. Dubai Police's Cybercrime Director warned that such "romantic fraud" or emotional entrapment schemes exploit vulnerable individuals through social media, where scammers study victims' personal information to identify and exploit emotional vulnerabilities, with authorities noting that organized crime groups specialize in this method and that reporting suspicious accounts and increasing digital literacy are critical protective measures.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams using AI-generated deepfake videos impersonating celebrities became the most reported scams in 2024, with criminals creating hyper-realistic videos and audio to trick victims into fraudulent relationships or investment schemes. A recent investigation by London's Proactive Economic Crime Team led to two arrests after victims handed over approximately £200,000, including one individual who lost £60,000, while a similar case involving a deepfake of Martin Lewis and Elon Musk defrauded a tradesman of £76,000. The technology has evolved faster than regulatory measures, making it increasingly difficult for the public to distinguish real from fabricated content, with deepfake attempts occurring every five
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
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.
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%).
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.
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.
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.
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,
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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,
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.