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in Romance Scams
mk.co.kr
· 2025-12-08
An international romance scam ring involving 12 members (9 Nigerians, 1 Russian, 1 Angolan, 1 Filipino, and 1 Korean) was arrested by Seoul Metropolitan Police after defrauding 14 Korean victims of 1.4 billion won through fake personas including US soldiers, UN staff, and international students. Over 10 months, the group approached victims via social media, requesting money for various schemes such as customs clearance fees, account releases, and compensation claims, primarily communicating through text messages to avoid detection. The criminals used borrowed-name bank accounts and operated from overseas, with the operation managed by a Russian national in Korea who
crypto.news
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is investigating a crypto romance scam that defrauded at least 71 victims of nearly $5 million, with federal prosecutors in North Carolina seeking to seize $4.99 million in recovered Tether cryptocurrency. Scammers posed as romantic interests on social media platforms using fake identities to lure victims into fake investments on a fraudulent exchange called Bitkanant, then froze accounts and demanded additional fees; two victims alone lost $2.75 million. The operation targeted seniors, particularly those over 60, reflecting a broader trend of crypto scams that exceeded $5.6 billion in losses during 2023.
adn.com
· 2025-12-08
The article addresses concerns about a friend who is messaging individuals posing as celebrities on Telegram and may be sending them money—a pattern consistent with romance scams, which the FTC reported numbered over 64,000 cases in 2023 with losses totaling $1.14 billion. The advice recommends warning the friend about these common scam tactics while emphasizing concern for her financial and personal safety, and suggests implementing verification methods like video calls before any money changes hands.
oregonlive.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman has become deeply engaged in messaging four purported musicians through Telegram, with two promising to visit her, and she is suspected of sending them money. The advice columnist and FTC data indicate this is likely a romance scam, which accounted for over 64,000 reported cases and $1.14 billion in losses in 2023. Friends and family should educate her about common scam tactics, express concern for her financial safety, and establish clear boundaries such as requiring video verification from the supposed celebrities before any money changes hands.
notreallyheremedia.com
· 2025-12-08
Tameside Police issued a warning about romance fraud (catfishing), where scammers create fake online profiles to build trust with victims before requesting money for emergencies, travel, or business opportunities. The advisory emphasizes that anyone can become a victim and recommends prevention strategies including maintaining open communication about online relationships, setting healthy boundaries, using reputable dating platforms, and resisting pressure to move to alternative messaging services.
gmtoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment scams remain the highest risk for adults over 55, followed by online purchase scams and romance scams, according to the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker Risk Report. The article provides consumer protection guidance including: avoiding unsolicited calls (especially from spoofed numbers), recognizing red flags like pressure to act quickly or requests for unusual payment methods, hiring only licensed contractors after thorough vetting, being alert to emergency scams targeting grandchildren, and avoiding Medicare fraud schemes involving "free" medical equipment.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Identity theft and fraud affect Americans at alarming rates, with the FTC estimating true losses at $137 billion in 2022 despite only $9 billion being officially reported, prompting AARP to urge stronger consumer protections before Capitol Hill lawmakers. Veterans face particular vulnerability, with one in three targeted by scammers who impersonated the VA or pitched fraudulent investments, resulting in $477 million in reported losses in 2023. The article provides practical prevention advice for common scams including holiday shopping fraud, solar panel schemes, and veteran-targeted impersonation scams, recommending consumers type website addresses directly, verify offers through trusted sources, and research companies before providing personal information or
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A 60-something UK woman lost approximately $25,000 to a romance scammer who posed as a US Army colonel on Tinder using AI-generated videos, images, and voice messages to build trust before requesting money for a supposed life insurance payout and briefcase delivery scheme. The scammer, claiming to be "Mike Murdy," sent hyperrealistic AI videos personalized with the victim's name and details from their conversations, along with physical gifts, to convince her of his legitimacy until she discovered a briefcase filled with blank paper. This case represents an increasingly sophisticated form of romance fraud that combines AI technology with traditional romance scam tactics to exploit vulnerable individuals.
pandasecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
Hong Kong police arrested nearly 30 members of a criminal organization that used AI-generated deepfake profiles of attractive women to defraud approximately 400 middle-aged men across Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and India in a romance scam totaling $46 million. Victims were lured into fake romantic relationships, manipulated into investing in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms, and unable to withdraw their funds. The article advises victims to watch for red flags such as investment solicitation from new online contacts and signs of manipulated media including unnatural body postures, flat-toned audio, and mismatched facial features.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
A UK woman in her 60s lost approximately $25,000 to a romance scammer who posed as a US Army colonel named "Mike Murdy" on Tinder, using hyperrealistic AI-generated videos and messages to build trust before requesting money for a fake life insurance payout scheme. The scammer sent convincing video messages personalized with the victim's name and details from their conversations, along with physical gifts, before ultimately delivering an empty briefcase filled with blank paper. This case represents an emerging threat as fraudsters increasingly leverage sophisticated AI technology to create deepfakes that are difficult for victims—especially those unfamiliar with AI—to distinguish from authentic communications.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A Bronx man, Bashiru Ganiyu, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for his role in an international fraud and money laundering scheme that targeted elderly victims through romance scams between 2020 and 2022. Ganiyu received nearly $12 million from over 40 victims into bank accounts he controlled, deceiving them into sending money under the false pretense of romantic relationships, then laundering the proceeds to co-conspirators based in Ghana. He was ordered to forfeit over $11.7 million and pay restitution of approximately $7.7 million.
thesun.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A woman named Mary lost £10,000 to a romance scam involving a fake AI-generated US Army Colonel named "Mike Murdy" on Tinder who used deepfake videos and sent physical gifts to build trust. The scammer claimed to have a £607,000 life insurance payout and convinced Mary to pay £10,000 for an access code to unlock a briefcase allegedly containing the funds, but she received only blank papers. The case illustrates how modern scams use AI-generated images and videos to impersonate romantic interests and exploit victims who are often reluctant to report due to shame.
countryherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams targeting online daters are increasing across Illinois, with scammers employing tactics such as rapid relationship escalation, requests for money via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and avoidance of in-person meetings. The Illinois State Police warned residents to watch for red flags including suspicious links, isolation from loved ones, and pressure to communicate on private apps like WhatsApp or Telegram. Victims are encouraged to report incidents to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and contact their financial institutions if they have suffered monetary losses.
dailystar.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Two Thai women alleged they were victims of a romance scam by a man named Bank, 32, who falsely claimed to be a military doctor in Bangkok and manipulated them into providing financial support totaling several million baht over five to six years. Bank allegedly used false claims about unpaid military salaries, affairs with other women, physical threats, and purported black magic rituals to maintain control over his victims, targeting women in the medical profession for their higher incomes. Both women sought legal assistance through the nonprofit organization Saimai Survive to pursue justice against the alleged fraudster.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
A 26-year-old Minnesota man, Benjamin Yakah, was arrested following a five-month investigation by the Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit for stealing over $100,000 from a 77-year-old Bradenton widower through a romance scam. The victim was deceived by a fake Facebook profile using photos stolen from a West Virginia woman, with the scammer posing as "Julia" and convincing the victim to send money for an alleged debt settlement in Minnesota. The victim's children discovered the fraud in June 2024, and Yakah is currently awaiting extradition to Manatee County; investigators believe there may be additional victims in other
thethaiger.com
· 2025-12-08
A 32-year-old Thai man named Bank allegedly operated a romance scam targeting at least two women, with losses totaling several million baht over multiple years. The victims, Kasamon (27) and Phitchaya (29), met Bank through dating applications and were deceived by false claims of being a military doctor; he extracted financial support by promising repayment and maintaining romantic relationships while simultaneously dating other women. The victims also reported that Bank allegedly used black magic rituals to manipulate them, and when one victim attempted to end the relationship, he became physically violent and threatening, prompting them to seek legal action through the nonprofit organization Saimai Survive.
everythingzoomer.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud is now the leading crime against seniors in Canada, with scammers increasingly using advanced technology like voice simulation, AI, and fake profiles to perpetrate sophisticated schemes. Common scams targeting seniors include grandparent fraud (2,494 Canadian victims lost $9.4 million), romance scams (Canadians lost $59 million in 2022), and phishing attacks (approximately $58 million in losses in 2022). Seniors are particularly vulnerable due to social isolation, limited digital literacy (only 26% feel very confident with technology despite 67% using the internet), and accessible savings, making protection strategies essential as emotional manipulation often overrides caution.
thesun.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
An elderly carer lost £20,000 to an elaborate romance scam involving an AI-generated US Army colonel who contacted her on Tinder and promised her £607,000 in life insurance money. The scammer used hyperrealistic AI-generated videos, personalized messages claiming to love her, and physical gifts to build trust, eventually convincing her to pay nearly £10,000 for delivery and £10,000 to unlock a briefcase that contained only a blank sheet of paper. The National Fraud Helpline is assisting in recovery, with officials noting this as one of the most sophisticated scams they have encountered due to its combination of AI technology and physical misdirection.
dailystar.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A UK carer named Mary lost £20,000 to a sophisticated romance scam involving a fake AI-generated US Army colonel named "Mike Murdy" on Tinder who used deepfake videos, audio messages, and physical items to build trust over several months. The scammer convinced Mary to pay fees under the guise of unlocking a military briefcase allegedly containing £607,000, but she ultimately received only blank sheets of paper. Halifax bank is reviewing her case for reimbursement under Payment Systems Regulator fraud protection rules, as fraud experts warn of increasing AI-enabled romance scams.
townsvillebulletin.com.au
· 2025-12-08
An Australian grandmother who has been imprisoned in Japan for nearly two years on drug charges that her family alleges resulted from a romance scam is facing trial this week. The case highlights how romance scams can lead vulnerable individuals into serious legal consequences in foreign jurisdictions.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A woman in her sixties from England lost nearly £20,000 to an AI-generated romance scammer posing as a US Army colonel named "Mike Murdy" on Tinder. The scammer used deepfake videos, images, and AI-synthesized voice and text to build a convincing romantic relationship, eventually convincing the victim to pay money under the pretense of unlocking a briefcase containing £607,000 in cash and accessing a life insurance payout. Financial authorities have issued warnings about this emerging AI-powered romance scam trend targeting vulnerable individuals seeking romantic connections.
tori.ng
· 2025-12-08
Patrick Akpoguma, a 28-year-old Nigerian internet fraudster, admitted to conducting romance scams, identity theft, and cryptocurrency fraud over three years, accumulating over $500,000 in illicit gains. He operated by impersonating high-profile individuals (including a U.S. Army officer and cryptocurrency expert) using fake accounts and a purchased silicone face mask to deceive victims into sending cryptocurrency payments, and later attempted to bribe police with $100,000 to avoid arrest. Akpoguma was arrested following complaints from residents in Lagos and faces court arraignment.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Dr. Ruchika Tandon, a 44-year-old Indian neurologist, lost approximately 25 million rupees ($300,000) to an elaborate "digital arrest" scam in which fraudsters impersonating law enforcement officials coerced her through video calls into believing she was under federal investigation for money laundering and trafficking. Over a six-day period, the scammers maintained constant surveillance via video call, manipulating her into draining her family's savings from multiple accounts including banks, mutual funds, and insurance policies. According to official figures, Indians lost over 1.2 billion rupees to this type of scam between January and April 2024, with over
kfiz.com
· 2025-12-08
**"Pig butchering" investment scams** involve fraudsters building trust with victims over weeks or months—posing as romantic interests or investment coaches—before convincing them to invest in fake opportunities and ultimately stealing their money. According to 2023 FTC data, investment scams represented only 4% of fraud reports but accounted for over 30% of total losses, with an average loss of $7,000 per victim. Red flags include unsolicited investment pitches from online contacts, pressure to use cryptocurrency or special apps, displays of fake profits, and reluctance to meet in person or speak by phone.
thetimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman in her sixties from England lost nearly £20,000 to an AI-generated romance scammer posing as a US Army colonel named "Mike Murdy" on Tinder. The scammer used deepfake videos and personalized messages to build trust before claiming a life insurance briefcase worth £607,000 needed processing fees, extracting multiple payments from the victim under false pretenses. The US Embassy has issued warnings about fraudsters impersonating US soldiers using this high-tech romance scam method.
thesun.ng
· 2025-12-08
A 28-year-old internet fraudster, Patrick Akpoguma, was arrested in Lagos after police rejected his $100,000 USD (N174 million) bribe offer during investigation into his crimes. Akpoguma confessed to operating romance scams, identity theft, cryptocurrency fraud, and other cyber crimes over three years, during which he allegedly defrauded victims of over $500,000 USD and used proceeds to purchase multiple properties including houses and a vehicle worth N100 million.
thenationonlineng.net
· 2025-12-08
A 28-year-old internet fraudster named Patrick Akpoguma was arrested in Lagos after defrauding multiple victims through romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and identity theft, earning over $500,000 in three years by impersonating prominent figures like a U.S. Army Colonel and cryptocurrency expert using fake social media accounts and masks. During his arrest on November 7, 2024, Akpoguma attempted to bribe police with $100,000 to secure his release, but officers rejected the bribe, documented it as evidence, and proceeded with prosecution.
clickondetroit.com
· 2025-12-08
Monroe County authorities are warning residents about a rising wave of cryptocurrency scams delivered via email, text, and phone calls that impersonate government agencies, lottery services, tech support, and romance schemes to trick victims into sending money or personal information. Michiganders lost nearly $80 million to cryptocurrency scams in 2023, with one Northville Township resident defrauded of approximately $300,000. Authorities emphasize that legitimate government agencies never demand payment in cryptocurrency or gift cards and always offer cash payment options in person.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A 26-year-old Minnesota man, Benjamin Yakah, was arrested and charged with grand theft after stealing over $100,000 from a 77-year-old Bradenton widower through an eight-month romance scam on Facebook. The scammer posed as a woman named "Julia" from the United Kingdom, using stolen photos and claiming to need money to pay debts before relocating to Florida, while all funds were directed to Yakah's bank account in Minneapolis. The investigation, initiated by the victim's family in June 2024, revealed additional victims in other states, and Yakah is being extradited to Manatee County to face charges.
dhs.gov
· 2025-12-08
A Danvers, Massachusetts man, Trung Nguyen, was convicted of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business and money laundering after converting over $1 million in cash to Bitcoin through his unregistered company National Vending, LLC between 2017 and 2020. Nguyen deliberately evaded banking regulations and accepted cash from scam victims and a drug dealer, knowingly facilitating their criminal activities by converting their proceeds into cryptocurrency without filing required reports or registering with federal authorities.
gistmania.com
· 2025-12-08
Thai police arrested two Nigerian men and four Thai nationals in November 2024 as part of "Operation Black Horse Down," an investigation into a romance scam ring that defrauded victims of over 50 million baht. The gang operated more than 1,000 mule bank accounts through which 1.2 billion baht in transactions were processed for foreign criminal networks including drug dealers and call centers. The suspects face charges including public fraud, computer crimes, and money laundering, with authorities warning the public that opening bank accounts for others in exchange for payment is illegal and carries penalties of up to three years in prison and 300,000 baht in fines.
thehackernews.com
· 2025-12-08
Google has identified sophisticated scam techniques including landing page cloaking, where fraudsters impersonate legitimate websites and use AI-generated deepfakes to conduct investment fraud and credential theft schemes. The report highlights emerging tactics such as scareware redirects, app clones, and cryptocurrency scams originating from organized crime syndicates in Southeast Asia, with Google blocking over 5.5 billion policy-violating ads in 2023 and launching new scam detection features in its Android Phone app to protect users.
communityimpact.com
· 2025-12-08
The Elder Financial Safety Center (EFSC), formed in 2014 by Dallas County Probate Courts, the District Attorney's Office, and The Senior Source nonprofit, addresses financial exploitation of seniors through prevention, protection, and prosecution. The article details prevalent scams targeting seniors aged 50+, including romance scams, government impersonation, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams, and recommends protective measures such as not answering unknown calls and avoiding clicking on unsolicited texts and links. Services are free to eligible seniors in Dallas and surrounding counties, with one case cited involving a victim who lost $545,000 after being groomed through a fake Geek Squad text message scam
mysuncoast.com
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old widower from Bradenton, Florida lost over $100,000 in a romance scam after meeting someone claiming to be "Julia" on Facebook Messenger who posed as a woman from the United Kingdom seeking to relocate to America. Benjamin Yakah from Minnesota was arrested after investigation revealed he operated the scam, using stolen photos and convincing the victim to send cash and checks to pay off fabricated debts; evidence suggests there are additional victims. Yakah is awaiting extradition to Manatee County as the investigation continues.
mynews4.com
· 2025-12-08
Nevada ranks as the most dangerous state for online dating scams, with the state ranking second nationally in romance scams, fourth in identity scams, and third in fraud overall. In 2023, Nevada residents filed approximately 259 romance scam complaints resulting in $5.8 million in losses, while nationally the FBI recorded nearly 18,000 romance scam complaints with victims losing over $652 million. Scammers use elaborate storytelling and false urgency to manipulate victims into sending money, sometimes totaling thousands of dollars, and victims are often reluctant to report due to embarrassment.
fox13news.com
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old widower in Bradenton, Florida lost $100,000 to a romance scammer who posed as a British woman named "Julia" on Facebook and claimed she needed money to pay off a debt before relocating to be with him. The investigation, launched in June 2024 by the victim's children, revealed that suspect Benjamin Yakah used stolen photos from a West Virginia woman's Facebook account and had the victim send cash and checks to accounts in Minneapolis over an eight-month period. Yakah was arrested in Minnesota and is awaiting extradition to Manatee County; police suspect he scammed multiple victims across different states.
nationthailand.com
· 2025-12-08
Police arrested six suspects—four Thai nationals and two Nigerian men—who operated romance scams and used over 1,000 mule bank accounts to launder money for international criminal networks, defrauding victims of more than 50 million baht. The gang leader, identified as a Nigerian national named Christian, facilitated transactions exceeding 1.2 billion baht through accounts linked to foreign call centers, drug dealers, and other scam operations. The suspects face charges including public fraud, computer crimes, and money laundering, with authorities warning the public that opening bank accounts for others can result in up to three years imprisonment and 300,000 baht in fines.
saharareporters.com
· 2025-12-08
Four Nigerian nationals—Patrick Edah, Efe Egbowawa, Igocha Mac-Okor, and Kay Ozegbe—were sentenced to federal prison (30 to 60 months) for operating a romance and investment scam that defrauded victims across the U.S., including Western Tennessee, from 2017 to 2021. The defendants used fake identities and dating site profiles to establish romantic relationships and solicit emergency financial assistance, with victims losing thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, including one Tennessee resident who lost over $400,000. They were convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering after laundering scam proceeds through
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
A 26-year-old Minnesota man, Benjamin Yakah, was arrested and faces grand theft charges after defrauding a 77-year-old Bradenton widower of over $100,000 in an eight-month internet romance scam. The victim was deceived by a fake Facebook profile using stolen photos of a West Virginia woman, who posed as "Julia" and convinced him to send cash and checks to Minnesota accounts under the pretense of relocating to Florida to be with him. The victim's children alerted authorities in June, leading to a five-month investigation and Yakah's arrest; evidence suggests he victimized additional people in other states.
wtsp.com
· 2025-12-08
A 26-year-old man named Benjamin Yakah was arrested in Minnesota for operating an internet romance scam in which he posed as a woman named "Julia" on Facebook and defrauded a 77-year-old widower in Bradenton, Florida of over $100,000 across eight months. Yakah used stolen photos of a West Virginia woman without her knowledge and convinced the victim that he needed money to pay off a debt before relocating from the United Kingdom to Florida to start a relationship. The victim's children reported the scam to the Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit in June, leading investigators to trace the fraudulent bank account to Yakah, and further investigation reveale
edmonton.ctvnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
I'm unable to summarize this article because the content provided doesn't include the actual news story—only the headline and various unrelated shopping and product recommendation links. To provide an accurate summary for the Elderus database, I would need the full article text describing the romance scam case involving the Leduc woman, including details about what occurred, financial losses, legal consequences, and other relevant facts about the incident.
Please provide the complete article content, and I'll be happy to create a concise 2-3 sentence summary.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Raymond McDonald, a 51-year-old serial romance fraudster from County Durham, has been repeatedly imprisoned for scamming multiple women out of thousands of pounds through dating sites by posing as a wealthy, distinguished military man with properties abroad. Police believe he may have victimized "hundreds" of women over decades, with his latest victims reporting severe emotional trauma comparable to sexual assault, though he was arrested again in August 2024 after his December 2023 release. McDonald's scheme involved juggling simultaneous relationships while fabricating stories about military work, property investments, and fake marriages, extracting money for items and services that never materialized.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Four Nigerian men were sentenced to federal prison for operating a romance scam targeting victims in West Tennessee. The scam involved perpetrators posing as romantic interests to deceive and defraud victims, though specific victim counts and financial losses are not detailed in the provided excerpt.
guardian.ng
· 2025-12-08
Four Nigerian citizens residing in the U.S. and Canada were sentenced to federal prison (ranging from 2.5 to 5 years) for operating romance and investment scams between 2017 and 2021, using fake identities on dating sites and social media to deceive victims into sending money via wire transfers and mail. The conspiracy involved dozens of victims who lost between thousands to over $400,000 each, with the defendants functioning as "money mules" to launder proceeds through shell companies and multiple bank accounts. The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case, which was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Tennessee
oklahoman.com
· 2025-12-08
Oklahoma City is warning residents about a resurging scam where callers impersonate municipal court employees or law enforcement, demanding immediate payment of fake fines over the phone under threat of jail. The city advises residents to hang up, independently verify any debts by calling OKC Municipal Court at (405) 297-3898 or checking okc.gov/court, and notes that scammers increasingly use spoofed numbers, actual deputy names, and payment methods like gift cards and cryptocurrency to steal money.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Venezuelan national, Deivy Jose Rodriguez Delgado, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for using dating apps to lure three American men to the Dominican Republic, then holding them hostage at knifepoint and forcing them to have family members send ransom money to his CashApp account in July 2022. Delgado was arrested in September 2022 after Dominican authorities traced a vehicle used in two of the abductions to him and found a knife in his car. Experts warn this sophisticated romance scam targeting lonely individuals seeking connections online is difficult to detect and increasingly common internationally, recommending victims meet strangers only in public places.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Four Nigerian citizens were sentenced to federal prison for operating international romance scams targeting U.S. victims from 2017 to 2021, with sentences ranging from 30 to 60 months. The defendants created fake identities on dating sites and social media to build romantic relationships with victims, then solicited money for emergencies, with losses ranging from thousands to over $400,000 per victim. The defendants functioned as "money mules," laundering proceeds through multiple bank accounts and shell companies to conceal the scheme's origins.
toronto.ctvnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
I apologize, but the text you provided appears to be a title followed by a list of unrelated shopping and beauty articles rather than the actual article content about the romance scam.
To provide an accurate summary for the Elderus database, I would need the full article text that discusses the Brampton woman's romance scam case, including details about how the scam occurred, the timeline, any specific tactics used, and the outcome or reporting of the incident.
Could you please provide the complete article content?
cp24.com
· 2025-12-08
A Brampton woman lost over $230,000 in life savings to a romance scam after a man she met online befriended her, claimed to need money for family emergencies and a business contract, and promised repayment. Romance scams are among the three most common frauds in Canada, with victims collectively losing over $52 million in the previous year, and cybercriminals typically target lonely individuals online before creating false emergencies and making excuses to avoid in-person meetings.
actionnews5.com
· 2025-12-08
Four Nigerian citizens were convicted of operating romance scams across the United States between 2017 and November 2021, defrauding victims out of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars each by creating fake identities on dating websites and social media to build false romantic relationships and solicit emergency financial assistance. The defendants acted as "money mules," laundering stolen funds through multiple bank accounts and shell corporations to obscure the money trail; one victim in Tennessee alone lost over $400,000. The four received federal prison sentences ranging from 30 to 60 months, with sentencing occurring between April and October 2024.