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in Romance Scams
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
BBC Scam Safe Week is a multi-platform educational initiative launching programs across television, radio, and online to help the public recognize and avoid scams, which have become increasingly prevalent during the cost-of-living crisis. Expert contributors highlight that "pig butchering" romance-to-investment scams are currently the most profitable fraud scheme, with victims losing tens of thousands of pounds or more, and emphasize that people of all ages—particularly 16-34 year-olds—are vulnerable targets. The campaign stresses that self-education is essential since authorities can only convict 0.1% of fraud cases, and that scamming has become a sophisticated criminal enterprise rather than isolated incidents.
12news.com
· 2025-12-08
A Phoenix man lost over $62,000 across multiple romance scams perpetrated by someone impersonating a national news anchor on Instagram, including $56,000 charged to his credit card. Romance scams are now the number one scam in the U.S., resulting in $1 billion in annual losses, though many victims don't report them due to embarrassment and difficulty prosecuting overseas scammers. Key red flags include fake profiles, rapid relationship progression, elaborate stories requesting financial help, and scammers' refusal to meet in person or video chat.
ia.acs.org.au
· 2025-12-08
Former NSW Police detective Kylee Dennis launched Two Face Investigations in August 2023 after discovering her friend's 78-year-old mother was targeted by a romance scammer using stolen photos. Since inception, Dennis has investigated cases involving victims aged 50-86 who lost between $30 and over $500,000 to romance scammers, contributing to Australia's $34.3 million in romance scam losses during 2023.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Indians lost ₹120.3 crore in digital arrest frauds during the first quarter of 2024, with 46% of digital fraud cases—including digital arrests, trading scams, investment scams, and romance scams—originating from Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, affecting victims who lost a cumulative ₹1,776 crore. Digital arrest scams involve fraudsters impersonating law enforcement via video call, claiming victims are involved in crimes or have received illegal parcels, and demanding money to close fabricated cases. Complaint numbers have increased significantly from 4.52 lakh in 2021 to 7.4 lakh in the
indianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
Indian victims lost Rs 1,420.48 crore in trading scams during the first quarter of 2024, where fraudsters used fake social media ads featuring well-known stock market experts to lure victims into unregistered trading apps and fake investment schemes. Victims deposited money believing they were buying shares, but were shown fake profits and trapped in endless deposit cycles by criminals demanding additional "taxes" before allowing withdrawals. Trading scams are one of four major online fraud schemes targeting Indians, alongside digital arrest, investment, and romance/dating scams.
analyticsinsight.net
· 2025-12-08
Social media scams resulted in over $1.2 billion in losses last year, with common schemes including phishing (fake profiles impersonating organizations), romance scams (which cost nearly $1 billion in 2021), fake investment opportunities (over $330 million lost in 2022), fraudulent giveaways (40% of respondents affected in 2021), and impersonation scams targeting friends and family. Users can protect themselves by verifying account authenticity, avoiding suspicious links, staying informed about current scams, and reporting fraudulent activity to platforms.
bizzbuzz.news
· 2025-12-08
India's Union Home Ministry revealed that approximately 46% of digital arrest scams, trading fraud, romance scams, and investment fraud cases originate from Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, with victims losing a total of Rs 1,776 crore. The scams include trading scams (Rs 1,420 crores), investment frauds (Rs 222.58 crores), digital arrests (Rs 120.3 crores), and romance scams (Rs 13.23 crores), with complaint numbers rising from 4.52 lakh in 2021 to 7.4 lakh complaints in the first four months of 2024.
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud is now the leading crime against Canadian seniors, with scammers increasingly exploiting technological tools to create more sophisticated schemes including grandparent fraud (2,494 victims, $9.4 million in losses), romance scams ($59 million in 2022), and phishing attacks ($58 million in 2022). Seniors are particularly vulnerable due to social isolation, limited digital literacy (only 26% feel confident with technology), accessible savings, and the emotional manipulation that can override caution despite public awareness campaigns.
legalreader.com
· 2025-12-08
Two correctional officers at an Indiana prison, Martins Tochukwu Chidiobi and Lawrence Onyesonwu, were sentenced to three years in federal prison for stealing the identities of at least five inmates and using them to open fraudulent bank accounts between 2015 and 2019. The defendants deposited at least $331,282 in fraud proceeds—largely from romance scams and other schemes—into these accounts, then withdrew most of the money as cash or transferred it to Nigerian bank accounts. Both men pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and making false statements to financial institutions.
theedgemalaysia.com
· 2025-12-08
Traditional Know Your Customer (KYC) methods such as document verification and facial recognition are increasingly insufficient against sophisticated fraud tactics like deepfakes, money mule scams, romance scams, and account takeovers—with 70% of fraud occurring after the initial onboarding process. AI and machine learning technologies can both facilitate fraud through deepfake creation and combat it through real-time behavioral analysis, anomaly detection, and signature/pixel analysis to identify fraudulent documents and account activity across geographic locations. Effective fraud prevention requires a collaborative approach combining advanced technology, robust regulations, public awareness, and information sharing among businesses, governments, and individuals.
indianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
Indians lost Rs 120.30 crore (approximately $14.5 million USD) to "digital arrest" scams in the first quarter of 2024, according to government cybercrime data. In these scams, fraudsters—primarily operating from Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia—pose as law enforcement officers via video calls and demand money from victims by falsely claiming they are involved in crimes or have received illegal parcels. The scam represents one of four major cyber fraud types affecting Indians, with digital arrest complaints comprising part of 7.4 lakh total cybercrime complaints filed between January and April 2024.
theeagleonline.com.ng
· 2025-12-08
Six suspects aged 22-27 were arrested by the Special Fraud Unit in Lagos, Nigeria for business email compromise, romance scams, benefit fraud, credit card fraud, and money laundering. Officers recovered a vehicle, high-end mobile phones worth millions of Naira, and various fetish materials from the suspects, with investigations revealing connections to additional associates involved in computer-related fraud. The suspects await court charges upon completion of the investigation.
thevocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Services Australia issued a warning about scams promoting fake Centrelink "bonus payments" ranging from $750 to $1,800 circulating on scam websites and social media, which fraudsters use to steal personal information and compromise MyGov accounts. The organization clarified that these payments do not exist and legitimate Centrelink information is only available through official .gov.au websites, while urging Australians to strengthen MyGov security with verbal passwords and avoid suspicious links. Phishing scams cost Australians over $134 million in losses this year, ranking third among fraud types after investment and romance scams.
6abc.com
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old man in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania was targeted through a romance scam on LinkedIn beginning in August 2022, where a criminal posed as a woman to build trust and extract his personal information. The scammers used his identity to purchase iPhones and iPads connected to his AT&T account, then convinced him to facilitate cryptocurrency purchases and transfers as part of a money laundering scheme, resulting in approximately $10,000 in fraudulent charges before the bank detected the activity. The FBI warns that romance scams have become a billion-dollar-a-year enterprise increasingly used to turn victims into "money mules," with AI technology making such schemes more convincing,
professionalsecurity.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Former fraud investigator Megan Searle outlines common online dating scams, where perpetrators use "love bombing" (excessive flattery), superficial conversations, and fabricated emergencies to manipulate victims into sending money or becoming unwitting "money mules." She advises users to verify identities through video calls, avoid sharing personal photos early, and recognize red flags such as requests for money, avoidance of video chats, and lack of meaningful conversation. The tactics became increasingly prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic when isolation made people more vulnerable to exploitation.
ccxmedia.org
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Dodzi Kordorwu, a 38-year-old from Brooklyn Park, was sentenced to over five years in prison for operating a nationwide romance fraud scheme that defrauded dozens of victims, primarily seniors, of $2.2 million between May 2018 and June 2022. The scheme involved impersonating military officials or diplomats through social media to build false relationships before requesting money, with Kordorwu receiving over 90 victim packages containing the fraudulent proceeds. In addition to his prison sentence, Kordorwu was ordered to make full restitution and remain under court supervision for three years after release.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
US Marine Kagan Dunlap, 37, reported that scammers have been using his photographs and voice (mimicked through AI) to catfish thousands of women on dating apps since 2015, coercing victims to send money via gift cards, cash, and cryptocurrency. The fraudsters targeted lonely women globally and used military-related excuses (such as deployment limitations) to avoid video verification, while some victims became aggressive when confronted with the truth and even contacted Dunlap's wife accusing him of infidelity. Dunlap recommends potential victims demand video calls as verification, noting that no legitimate contact should refuse this simple verification method.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old man named Dennis Jones was romantically scammed by a woman he met on Facebook who claimed to be a successful cryptocurrency investor named Jessie and offered to teach him how to profit from crypto investments. After developing trust with the scammer and hoping to leave an inheritance for his family, Dennis invested his savings, which turned out to be part of a fraudulent scheme. The devastating financial loss and emotional trauma led to Dennis taking his own life, and his son and daughter now share his story publicly to warn others about romance and cryptocurrency scams targeting seniors.
the-independent.com
· 2025-12-08
A journalist was scammed out of £240 after being contacted via Facebook Messenger by someone posing as a casual acquaintance offering Coldplay concert tickets; the account had been hacked, and the fraudster exploited the victim's desire to help a friend and emotional connection to manipulate the transaction. The scam exemplifies how criminals exploit social media trust networks and personal relationships, targeting people's emotions rather than relying on obviously suspicious tactics, and demonstrates that social media platforms struggle to combat these increasingly sophisticated fraud techniques.
emporiagazette.com
· 2025-12-08
The 22nd annual Senior Life Fair in Lyon County held an educational event focused on scam prevention, attracting hundreds of seniors to learn about fraud risks and community resources. Kansas Assistant Attorney General Melanie Jack delivered the keynote address emphasizing the prevalence of scams targeting seniors, including romance scams and internet-based fraud, while noting that fraud against Kansas residents over 60 is now treated as a criminal investigation. Nearly 40 vendors provided information on senior services, health screenings, and safety topics.
newsbytesapp.com
· 2025-12-08
Online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with fraudsters employing impersonation, voice-changing technology, and emotional manipulation to steal money and personal information from victims. Common schemes include "nude video call" blackmail on WhatsApp, voice-mimicking scams impersonating distressed family members, fake customs fees for parcels, lottery winnings requiring upfront payments, and romance scams. The article advises verifying caller identities through callbacks, avoiding unsolicited video calls from unknown numbers, confirming with legitimate companies before payments, and exercising caution when sharing personal information with people met only online.
wthr.com
· 2025-12-08
Two New Castle correctional officers, Martins Chidiobi and Lawrence Onyesonwu, pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft after stealing personally identifiable information from at least five inmates and using their identities to open nine fraudulent bank accounts, through which $331,282 was deposited—most withdrawn as cash or transferred to Nigerian accounts originating from romance scams and other fraud schemes. Both men were sentenced to three years in prison, followed by two years of supervised release and $5,000 fines each.
valleybreeze.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud complaints rose 14 percent nationally in 2023, resulting in $3.4 billion in losses, with Rhode Islanders over 60 losing $7.4 million to scams. U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, AARP Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island State Police held an Elder Fraud Prevention Summit to educate older adults on detecting and reporting fraud, emphasizing that tech support, romance, and investment scams are among the most common schemes targeting seniors. Experts stressed that victims should report incidents immediately and stay informed about evolving scams, noting that sophisticated criminals use artificial intelligence and psychological manipulation rather than targeting inherent vulnerabilities in older adults.
fox35orlando.com
· 2025-12-08
The Seminole County Sheriff's Office warned the public about romance scams after the FBI reported that nearly 20,000 Americans lost over $700 million to these schemes in 2022. The advisory outlined two common tactics: "stuck" scammers who build romantic connections then request money for travel emergencies, and "investment" scammers who pose as romantic interests to manipulate victims into depositing tens of thousands of dollars into fake investment accounts that eventually lock. Authorities recommend using dating app verification tools and reporting suspected scams to the sheriff's office.
newsaegis.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece outlines cybersecurity best practices for Cybersecurity Awareness Month, emphasizing three core strategies: staying suspicious, stopping to think, and staying protected. The article identifies common scam tactics targeting all consumers—particularly elderly, lonely, and disabled individuals—including fear-based language, artificial urgency, and false promises of money, and recommends protective measures such as using password managers, enabling multi-factor verification, avoiding personal information requests in online quizzes, and reporting suspected fraud to the FTC or free resources like the AARP Fraud Watch Network.
einpresswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Nearly 80 million U.S. consumers (30% of the population) lost an average of $545 to scams between 2020-2024, with identity theft being the most common type and romance scams causing the largest financial impact at nearly $2,000 per victim. While 69-74% of victims recovered some losses through their banks or credit card issuers, over half considered switching financial institutions, and consumers identified advanced fraud detection and AI-based monitoring technologies as the most important safeguard against future scams.
kiro7.com
· 2025-12-08
According to the FTC, seniors reported losing more than $1.9 billion to fraud last year, with bank transfers and cryptocurrency being the most commonly exploited payment methods; however, the agency estimates total senior fraud losses could reach as high as $61.5 billion when accounting for unreported incidents. Romance scams and business impostor schemes are prevalent, with victims often reluctant to report due to shame or fear of being perceived as incapable by family members. The FTC has launched the Scams Against Older Adults Advisory Group and is seeking congressional amendments to strengthen its ability to recover funds for victims and prevent criminals from retaining illegally obtained profits.
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2025-12-08
Crypto investment scams have cost Americans billions of dollars, typically beginning with confidence or romance scams before escalating to demands for larger investments. FBI and CFTC officials discuss common typologies, warning signs for financial institutions, and how banks can partner with law enforcement to combat these schemes. The agencies have jointly developed educational materials to help identify and prevent crypto investment fraud.
mcknightsseniorliving.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults reported $1.9 billion in fraud losses in 2023, though the FTC estimates actual losses may have reached $61.5 billion when accounting for underreporting. Adults aged 60+ are significantly more vulnerable to specific scam types, including tech support scams (5x more likely), prize/lottery scams (3x more likely), and investment scams (which increased 34% year-over-year), with romance and business imposter scams also rising notably. The FTC and Senate Special Committee on Aging are expanding consumer education programs and partnerships to combat these increasingly sophisticated scams.
boston25news.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors reported losing more than $1.9 billion to fraud last year, with actual losses potentially reaching $61.5 billion when accounting for unreported cases, according to an FTC report highlighting romance scams, business impostor schemes, and cryptocurrency fraud as major threats. Older Americans face particular vulnerability due to retirement funds, life insurance proceeds, and assets that criminals target, and many victims avoid reporting due to shame or fear of being perceived as incapable. The FTC is strengthening protections through the Scams Against Older Adults Advisory Group and seeking congressional amendments to expand refund authority, while experts emphasize the need for banks and law enforcement to deploy advanced technology and increase criminal prosecution efforts.
abnnewswire.net
· 2025-12-08
Research from 2024 found that approximately 30% of U.S. consumers lost money to scams between 2020-2024, with nearly 80 million Americans affected and average losses of $545 per victim. Identity theft was the most common scam type (24% of victims), while romance scams caused the highest financial impact with average losses of nearly $2,000 and longer victim engagement. Nearly 70% of victims recovered some losses through their banks, though 54% considered switching financial institutions following the incident, with 59% identifying enhanced fraud detection technology as the most important fraud safeguard.
ahmedabadmirror.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common online scams targeting consumers during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, including romance scams (which prey on isolated individuals over extended periods), job scams (impersonating recruiters to steal money or personal information), investment scams (get-rich-quick schemes often involving cryptocurrency), and quiz scams (harvesting personal data for account breaches). The article provides warning signs and protective measures for each scam type, such as reverse-image searching suspicious photos, verifying job offers directly with companies, researching investment opportunities independently, and avoiding online quizzes that collect personal information.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Pig-butchering scams have defrauded victims of an estimated $75 billion globally, with criminals using increasingly sophisticated techniques including deepfake video technology and Starlink satellite internet to build trust before stealing victims' cryptocurrency and savings. The scams typically involve romantic or investment-focused relationships built over months, escalating to requests for financial investment, with documented cases resulting in losses ranging from $500,000 to $1 million per victim. To protect themselves, individuals should be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities from online contacts, verify identities through independent means, and recognize that scammers specifically target kindhearted people willing to
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two correctional officers at an Indiana prison, Martins Tochukwu Chidiobi and Lawrence Onyesonwu, were sentenced to three years in federal prison for stealing personally identifiable information from at least five inmates and using their identities to open fraudulent bank accounts between 2015 and January 2019. The defendants received at least $331,282 in fraud proceeds through these accounts, primarily from romance scam victims, and withdrew most funds as cash or transferred them to Nigerian bank accounts. Both men were also ordered to pay $5,000 fines and serve two years of supervised release following their prison sentences.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Pig-butchering scams have defrauded an estimated $75 billion globally, with criminals increasingly using sophisticated AI-powered deepfake technology for real-time video impersonation and purchasing Starlink satellite dishes to maintain reliable internet connections from Asia. The scams follow a formula of building trust through romantic or investment relationships before redirecting victims to fraudulent crypto platforms, with reported victims losing hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars—including a Colorado retiree who lost $500,000 in life savings and an Illinois widow who lost over $1 million.
startribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Dodzi K. Kordorwu, 38, of Brooklyn Park was sentenced to 5¼ years in prison for his role in a nationwide romance fraud scheme that defrauded dozens of primarily older victims of more than $2.1 million over four years. Operating under fake personas like "Dr. Carmen Williams," Kordorwu built false romantic relationships with victims to convince them to send money, exploiting their emotional vulnerability and isolation. He was ordered to make full restitution and serve three years of supervised release.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission's "Protecting Older Consumers" report found that older adults reported losing over $1.9 billion to fraud in 2023, though the true total is estimated at $61.5 billion when accounting for unreported cases. Seniors are reluctant to report fraud due to embarrassment and fear of losing independence, and they suffer significantly higher average losses ($918) compared to younger victims ($432). The three most common scams targeting older people are tech support scams, lottery/sweepstakes scams, and romance scams, with payments typically made through Bitcoin or gift cards.
makeuseof.com
· 2025-12-08
Social media scammers use four primary tactics to defraud users: phishing attacks that mimic trusted sources to steal personal information, fake profiles impersonating friends or family to request money or sensitive data, fraudulent giveaways and job offers designed to capture credentials or personal information, and romance scams involving lengthy deception to build trust before financial exploitation. Users can protect themselves by avoiding unsolicited messages and suspicious links, verifying suspicious contacts through alternate communication methods, checking for warning signs like poor grammar and unverified accounts, and researching companies before responding to job offers.
thepaypers.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an introductory piece for The Paypers' 2024 report on fraud detection technologies, not a news article about a specific fraud incident.
**Summary:** The report documents rising fraud challenges in financial services, with authorized fraud growing 22% in 2023 and average fraudulent transaction amounts increasing 43% to $3,222. The inaugural Next-Gen Tech to Detect Fraud and Fincrime Report 2024 examines emerging threats including APP fraud, investment scams, and romance scams, while exploring how financial institutions can leverage AI, data sharing, and regulatory compliance strategies to combat financial crime in an evolving threat landscape.
berkshireeagle.com
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old North Adams man lost over $400,000 in a tech support scam that operated from June to September, in which a caller posing as a federal agent convinced the victim to withdraw cash and hand it to couriers, claiming he was implicated in money laundering. Boston resident Urvishkumar Vipulkumar Patel, 21, was arrested after an FBI sting operation at the victim's home and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud; he claimed he was hired to pick up packages and deliver them for a cut. The FBI advises that legitimate federal agencies never request money by phone or send couriers to collect funds
aws.amazon.com
· 2025-12-08
This article describes Wipro and AWS's development of an Intelligent Financial Fraud Detection (IFFD) solution designed to address gaps in traditional fraud detection systems. The system uses AI and deep learning to detect fraud in real-time, with particular focus on elder fraud, which the FBI reported affected over 101,000 people age 60+ in 2023 with losses exceeding $3.4 billion. IFFD aims to reduce false positives to under 5% while identifying emerging threats like investment scams, romance scams, and grandparent scams before funds are transferred.
atlantafed.org
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans over 60 lost more than $3.4 billion to fraud—an 11 percent increase from 2022—with investment, tech support, email, and romance scams being the most common schemes. The author emphasizes that decline in financial judgment is an early sign of dementia, and recommends that families maintain regular voice contact with elderly relatives, monitor credit reports, apply credit freezes, and stay informed about legal and financial documents to prevent scams and elder fraud. Early intervention through personal relationships and periodic check-ins can help stop scammers before victims suffer financial loss.
hypebae.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies four warning signs of romance scams prevalent on dating apps: avoiding video calls or in-person meetings, lacking tagged photos with others on social media, requesting money before meeting, and unexplained gut feelings about the person. The piece references high-profile cases like "The Tinder Swindler" and Netflix's "Sweet Bobby" to illustrate how scammers manipulate victims emotionally to extract money, advising users to trust their instincts and never give more money than they can afford to lose.
wisbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
Extortion, particularly sextortion scams, ranked among the top five internet crimes in the FBI's 2023 report with over 48,000 cases, according to a Better Business Bureau warning. Sextortion scams operate through two primary methods: phishing (claiming to have hacked victims' devices and recorded compromising material) and romance schemes (building trust through fake relationships before blackmailing victims for money). Victims have reported losses ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars, with the scams exploiting fear of public embarrassment and loneliness to pressure victims into paying via bitcoin, gift cards, or wire transfers.
coinmarketcap.com
· 2025-12-08
Hong Kong police dismantled a sophisticated cryptocurrency investment scam network on October 9, detailing 27 suspects (aged 21-34) who used AI-generated deepfakes and fake online personas to defraud victims of approximately $46 million through romance schemes. The operation, discovered in a 4,000-square-foot facility in Hung Hom, employed university graduates as technical experts and featured detailed training manuals in multiple languages to manipulate victims into fraudulent crypto investments, with suspects linked to China, Taiwan, India, and Singapore.
kwqc.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece highlights common scams targeting individuals in 2024, including the grandparent scam, romance scam, and investment or advance fee scams. Blackhawk Bank & Trust in the Quad Cities region provides guidance on recognizing and avoiding these fraud schemes as part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month awareness efforts.
metro.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Megan Clarke discovered that her fiancé of 18 months, who presented himself as aristocratic watch-seller "Lord Bertie Underwood," was actually serial con artist Robert Madejski using a fabricated identity, fake accent, and false backstory to manipulate her into an engagement. After finding mail addressed to other names and conducting online searches, she uncovered his previous fraud convictions and learned that virtually everything about their relationship—including her Cartier ring—was fraudulent, prompting him to disappear before their planned wedding. The case exemplifies the growing prevalence of romance scams in the UK, where Citizens Advice found nine million people fell victim to scams in the
pentictonherald.ca
· 2025-12-08
The Palmyra Women's Institute is hosting a scam prevention education session featuring Chatham-Kent Police Special Constable Brenda Koldyk to address rising fraud losses in the community, including grandparent scams, romance scams (one victim lost $250,000), and various other schemes targeting seniors and vulnerable individuals. The November 7 session will cover warning signs, prevention strategies, and common scam types such as tax fraud, home renovation fraud, and impersonation scams, with Koldyk advising victims to verify requests with family members before sending money or gift cards.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A widow named "Beatrice" fell victim to a romance scam during the COVID-19 pandemic after matching with someone posing as a Spanish lumberjack on a senior dating site; after four months of building trust, the scammer requested money. According to the FTC and DHS, over 70,000 people reported romance scam losses in 2022, with older adults losing $240 million that year, as scammers use fake identities and emotional manipulation to extract savings from vulnerable individuals, often operating from West African countries. The article identifies warning signs including claims of living abroad, poor grammar despite English proficiency, excuses to avoid video calls, and requests to move conversations to
startribune.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
October's Cybersecurity Awareness Month highlights the increasing sophistication of scams, including phishing emails, text spoofing, and caller ID spoofing. Security experts advise consumers to remain vigilant by remembering the "three S's"—stay suspicious, stop and think, and stay protected—as scammers use tactics based on fear, urgency, and money to trick victims into sharing personal information or sending funds through romance scams, job scams, and impersonation schemes.