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in Romance Scams
sjvsun.com
Rep. David Valadao's Romance Scam Prevention Act advanced through the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, requiring dating apps to notify users who have interacted with accounts banned for fraudulent activity. The Federal Trade Commission reported romance scam victims lost over $1.1 billion in 2023, with fraudsters exploiting the 60 million users of online dating services by using fake identities to manipulate people for financial gain. The bill addresses a gap in current protections where scammers move conversations off dating platforms to avoid detection, though similar notification requirements already exist in Vermont, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New York.
yahoo.com
In 2024, scammers targeted elderly residents and visitors in Beaufort County, South Carolina, stealing over $3.1 million across 62 cases by impersonating law enforcement and demanding cryptocurrency transfers via Bitcoin ATMs. The scams exploited urgency and fabricated threats of arrest or legal consequences, with victims directed to convert cash to cryptocurrency at predatory ATMs with high transaction fees. Officials across South Carolina are calling for government oversight of cryptocurrency ATMs, as these machines have become primary tools for targeting aging communities, with the FTC noting that cryptocurrency scam losses in the U.S. increased tenfold between 2020 and 2023.
scmp.com
An 82-year-old Indian retiree and his wife were defrauded of approximately $395,000 by cybercriminals impersonating federal law enforcement officials who convinced them to transfer funds over a 10-day period. The scam employed fabricated Supreme Court letters and isolation tactics to maintain control over the victims. These incidents reflect a broader pattern of rising cybercrimes in India targeting elderly individuals through impersonation, blackmail, and romance scams, driven partly by limited digital safety awareness among seniors.
investopedia.com
Research identifies loneliness and financial fragility as the two most significant risk factors for elder financial fraud victimization. Socially isolated individuals are more vulnerable to relationship-based scams (romance, pig-butchering, affinity fraud) because they lack trusted contacts to validate suspicious offers, while financial stress impairs rational decision-making and increases willingness to take risky financial gambles that fraudsters exploit.
koco.com
Americans lost a record $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission and a new Better Business Bureau report analyzing the year's most dangerous schemes. The top scams involved investment and cryptocurrency schemes (80% loss rate), employment scams targeting young adults 18-34, romance and friendship scams on dating platforms, and imposter scams impersonating major companies. Experts advise consumers to verify credentials, ask questions about investment claims, and verify unsolicited communications to protect against scammers using financial grooming tactics to build trust before exploitation.
koco.com
Christine Joan Echohawk, a 53-year-old from Pawnee, Oklahoma, was arrested and charged with laundering approximately $1.5 million obtained through online romance scams targeting senior women between September and December 2024. The victims, all between ages 64 and 79, believed they were sending money to men they were in online relationships with before the funds were diverted through Echohawk's accounts.
ktul.com
Christine Joan Echohawk, 53, was arrested in Pawnee County on charges of money laundering and computer crimes for allegedly facilitating approximately $1.5 million in funds stolen from four elderly women (ages 64-79) through online romance scams between September and December 2024. Echohawk received the victims' payments via gift cards, cash, wire transfers, and bank accounts, then converted the funds to cryptocurrency and sent them to an unidentified suspect; one victim sold her home to send $600,000. Echohawk faces five counts carrying potential sentences of 24 to 64 years in prison and up to $260,000 in fines.
wesh.com
Americans lost a record $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, with the Better Business Bureau identifying investment/cryptocurrency schemes, employment scams, and romance/friendship scams as the year's most dangerous, often involving financial grooming tactics where scammers build trust over time. Victims of investment and cryptocurrency scams lost money at rates exceeding 80%, while young adults aged 18-34 were primary targets for employment fraud, and imposter scams frequently involved fraudulent claims from PayPal, Publishers Clearing House, and the U.S. Postal Service. Experts recommend verifying credentials, asking questions about unsolicited offers, and confirming communications to avoid falling victim
kaynewscow.com
Christine Joan Echohawk, 53, of Pawnee was arrested for laundering approximately $1.5 million obtained through online romance scams targeting four elderly women (ages 64-79) between September and December 2024. One victim sold her house and sent $600,000 after believing she was in a romantic relationship with a scammer; Echohawk converted the illicitly obtained funds through bank accounts and cryptocurrency before sending payments to an unidentified suspect. She faces five counts carrying 24 to 62 years in prison and up to $260,000 in fines.
onlineathens.com
Three Athens residents fell victim to different fraud schemes in late March: a 31-year-old man was extorted after sharing nude photos on Grindr and had images sent to family members; a 76-year-old woman was scammed out of $1,400+ by a romance fraudster posing as an Irish boyfriend requesting medical funds; and a 71-year-man nearly lost personal information after granting remote computer access to a tech support scammer. Police advise residents to avoid sharing personal information online, be cautious with unsolicited messages and calls, and immediately contact banks and credit bureaus if compromised.
cointelegraph.com
Australia's corporate watchdog (ASIC) secured court approval to shut down 95 "hydra" companies suspected of operating "pig butchering" scams—romance and cryptocurrency investment frauds where scammers build fake relationships to manipulate victims into investing in fraudulent schemes. Nearly 1,500 investors across 14 countries filed claims totaling over $35.8 million in losses, with the scam activity believed to originate largely from Southeast Asia. ASIC has removed over 10,000 scam websites in recent efforts, though the regulator warns that new fraudulent sites continue to emerge rapidly.
mitrade.com
Australia's Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) shut down 95 companies operating as fronts for crypto romance scams following Federal Court approval, with liquidators appointed to manage the wind-down. Over 1,500 victims from 14 countries have filed claims totaling more than $35 million, with scammers using fake company registrations, stolen identities, and AI-generated content to perpetrate "pig butchering" schemes that increased 40% between 2023-2024. Despite ASIC taking down over 10,000 fraudulent websites, regulators warn that scams remain persistent and evolving, though Australia saw a 26% decline in total sc
justice.gov
The U.S. Secret Service seized the web domain NFT-UNI.com, which was used in a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam that defrauded a Warren County victim of approximately $172,405.61 between November 2023 and March 2024, with total losses across all victims reaching approximately $4,564,936.47. In pig butchering schemes, scammers build trust with victims through dating apps, social media, or text messages before convincing them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms, then disappearing with their funds. This is the second domain seizure by the Secret Service in Warren County related to this type of scheme, as part
suncommunitynews.com
This does not appear to be an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. The content consists of generic system messages (email verification notifications, session renewal prompts) and an unrelated brief mention of a charitable donation. There is no fraud, scam, or elder abuse incident to summarize for the Elderus database.
uk.news.yahoo.com
Julie-Anne Kearns, a 47-year-old NHS worker from Dorset who runs a TikTok scam awareness account with over 10,000 followers, fell victim to identity theft in December 2024 when fraudsters attempted to take out loans in her name through three different lenders (Lendable, Moneybarn No 1, and Billing Finance Limited), likely using cloned copies of her passport and driving licence. Despite her extreme vigilance and efforts to prevent fraud, she discovered the identity theft through a credit report and subsequently locked her credit file, though she remains uncertain how the criminals obtained her personal information.
lifestyle.thecable.ng
**Romance Scam - Bobrisky Case**
Social media personality Bobrisky fell victim to an online romance scam and lost $990 after chatting with a scammer for several months who claimed to be living in Canada. The scammer gained access to her cash transfer by offering his CashApp account to receive a deposit from an advertising client, then blocked her immediately after the money arrived. Bobrisky publicly shared evidence of the scam on Instagram seeking help to identify the perpetrator.
dailystar.co.uk
Julie-Anne Kearns, a 47-year-old NHS worker and anti-scam TikTok creator, was targeted by a dating scam in November 2022 when a fraudster posing as a military surgeon attempted to trick her into buying an iTunes gift card; she avoided the scam through image verification but later discovered her identity had been stolen. In December 2024, Kearns learned that identity thieves had used her personal information to apply for loans with three different lenders (Lendable, Moneybarn No 1, and Billing Finance Limited), prompting her to lock her credit file to prevent further fraud attempts.
thenationonlineng.net
Popular crossdresser Bobrisky lost $990 to a romance scammer who had been communicating with him for several months, claiming to be based in the U.S. and Canada. The scammer gained his trust through frequent calls and regular contact, then convinced Bobrisky to receive a payment via CashApp on his behalf before blocking him once the money was transferred. Bobrisky publicly shared details of the incident on Instagram, warning his followers to be cautious of similar romance scams.
yahoo.com
Twelve suspected members of the Nigerian mafia gang Black Axe went on trial in Munich in connection with romance scams targeting dozens of victims, with one woman defrauded of €235,000. The defendants, aged 33 to 54, are accused of forming a criminal organization and using fake romantic relationships to manipulate victims into sending money, in what is Germany's first major prosecution of the group. The trial, expected to last months with a verdict possibly in December, follows April raids by Bavarian police that revealed the mafia's previously unknown significant presence in Germany.
newsbreak.com
A trial began in Munich in April 2025 against 12 suspected members of the Black Axe Nigerian mafia organization, accused of operating romance scams that defrauded victims by feigning romantic relationships to extract money. One victim alone lost approximately €235,000 ($257,400), with dozens of romance scam cases involved in the proceedings—the first major trial in Germany targeting this criminal organization, which is also known for money laundering and human trafficking. The defendants, aged 33-54, face charges of forming a criminal organization, with the trial expected to conclude by December 2025.
asic.gov.au
ASIC successfully obtained Federal Court orders to wind up 95 companies incorporated with false information that were suspected of facilitating "pig butchering" scams (romance baiting scams) involving fake investment platforms for forex, digital assets, and commodities trading. The scammers used professional-looking websites and apps to trick victims into depositing money into accounts controlled by fraudsters, with some companies potentially incorporated using stolen identities. ASIC warns consumers remain highly vigilant against these sophisticated scams, noting it removes approximately 130 scam websites weekly as part of its ongoing enforcement efforts.
tradingview.com
Australia's financial regulator (ASIC) obtained a court order to shut down 95 companies linked to "pig butchering" scams—sophisticated investment and romance fraud schemes where criminals build trust with victims over weeks before directing them to fake trading platforms for forex, crypto, and commodities. These organized criminal networks, often operating from countries like Myanmar and Eastern Europe, target high-income individuals globally by using fake websites, stolen identities, and complex deception tactics to create false legitimacy. Despite regulatory efforts to remove scam websites and shut down fraudulent companies, Australians lost AU$2.74 billion to financial fraud in the most recent reporting period, though losses declined 13.1
news18.com
A 59-year-old retired Army colonel from Gurgaon was lured to Mathura by a woman he met on the matrimonial website Jeevansathi, where he was ambushed by her associates, brutally assaulted, robbed of his phone and wallet, and filmed without consent with threats of blackmail if he contacted police. The gang forced him to call acquaintances for money before abandoning him in a forested area; he subsequently filed a police complaint under sections covering assault, extortion, and criminal intimidation. The incident highlights serious security vulnerabilities in online matrimonial platforms and the risks of meeting unknown individuals from dating websites without safety precautions.
investopedia.com
Scammers are increasingly targeting 401(k) retirement accounts through multiple methods including phishing emails, fake investment platforms, impersonation phone calls and text messages, robocalls with AI voice impersonations, and fraudulent rollover schemes. To protect retirement savings, individuals should use two-factor authentication, create strong unique passwords, monitor account notifications, and only conduct rollovers with trusted financial institutions while remaining vigilant against suspicious communications and fake investment opportunities.
thenationonlineng.net
Socialite and crossdresser Bobrisky lost $990 to a romance scammer who built trust over several months by claiming to live in the United States and calling him regularly. The scammer disappeared immediately after receiving money that Bobrisky had facilitated for what was presented as an advertising deposit payment. Bobrisky shared details of the incident and the scammer's photos on Instagram to warn his followers.
tribuneonlineng.com
Crossdresser Bobrisky lost $990 to a romance scammer who posed as a potential romantic partner over several months, gaining his trust through frequent calls before ultimately blocking him when given access to a CashApp deposit. The scammer, who initially claimed to be in the United States before saying he relocated to Canada, was exposed when Bobrisky asked to use the man's CashApp account to receive payment for an advertisement. Bobrisky publicly shared screenshots and photos of the alleged scammer on Instagram to warn followers about similar deceptive tactics.
oregonlive.com
This advice column addresses a parent's concerns about their 22-year-old son's relationship with a 36-year-old woman he met online in Brazil, who he is planning to visit for three months and to whom he has already sent money. The response identifies several warning signs consistent with romance scams, citing FTC data showing over 64,000 reported romance scams in 2023 totaling $1.14 billion, and recommends the parents consult FBI.gov and ic3.gov resources to help their son think critically about the situation and potential predatory motives.
azcentral.com
Older adults are frequent targets of scams because they typically have substantial savings, higher trust levels, and lower technological literacy. Scammers exploit emotional triggers like fear, urgency, greed, and confusion to manipulate seniors into surrendering money or personal information, with schemes like "pig-butchering" and others specifically designed to target this vulnerable population.
makeuseof.com
Hackers are increasingly using generative AI to conduct more effective and affordable scams by automating social engineering attacks, including cloning social media accounts to impersonate trusted contacts and deploying AI chatbots to conduct mass spear-phishing campaigns and romance scams. AI tools enable cybercriminals to personalize attacks at scale, create deepfake videos of high-profile individuals, and automate time-consuming fraud tactics like relationship-building for romance scams. Users should be aware that traditional security measures alone are insufficient, as people remain the primary vulnerability exploited by these AI-enhanced attack methods.
independent.ie
Financial abuse differs from typical scams in that perpetrators are usually known to the victim—such as family members, caregivers, or spouses—making it more difficult to detect and harder for victims to report. Key red flags include unexplained financial transactions, sudden changes in banking access, isolation from financial decision-making, and unusual gifts or loans to family members. Recognizing these warning signs and acting quickly is essential to protect vulnerable individuals from this insidious form of exploitation.
irishmirror.ie
Over the past five years, €7 million has been stolen from romance fraud victims in Ireland, with 70 cases reported in the last year alone and an average loss of €28,500 per victim. The vast majority of victims were women, with the highest individual loss reaching €450,000, as criminals use fake profiles on dating apps and social media to build trust before requesting money for supposed medical bills, investments, or travel expenses. Gardaí warn the public to verify profiles using reverse image search, avoid sharing personal details, and be suspicious of individuals who refuse video calls or request money.
yahoo.com
This article outlines common scams targeting seniors, including "pig-butchering" schemes that build trust over time before convincing victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms, as well as tech support scams, government impersonation scams, grandparent scams using voice cloning, and sweepstakes frauds. Older adults are particularly vulnerable due to larger savings, higher trust levels, and potential unfamiliarity with technology, compounded by factors like cognitive decline and social isolation. Key prevention strategies include teaching seniors to recognize red flags such as urgency, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency), poor grammar, and soliciting personal information—and encouraging them to verify
businessinsider.com
Cryptocurrency fraud losses reached $3.96 billion in 2023, up 335% from 2021, with scam activity growing an average of 24% annually since 2020. Crypto scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, particularly "pig butchering" schemes where scammers build online relationships before soliciting investments or money, with this fraud type growing 40% in 2024. Investigators recommend maintaining skepticism in online interactions, verifying investment details independently, and being alert to requests for fees or repeated payments, as scammers often exploit victims over months or years before detection.
mlive.com
A 22-year-old man plans to travel to Brazil to meet a 36-year-old woman he connected with online, raising concerns about a potential romance scam—he has already sent her money and friends suspect she may be seeking a U.S. visa through marriage. According to the FTC, romance scams affected over 64,000 people in 2023, resulting in $1.14 billion in losses, and this case exhibits several warning signs including financial requests and pressure to meet in person from an online acquaintance.
ktar.com
This educational article identifies five major scams targeting seniors: "pig butchering" (long-term cryptocurrency investment schemes), tech support scams, government impersonation scams, grandparent scams (sometimes using voice-cloning AI), and sweepstakes/lottery scams. The article explains that older adults are targeted due to larger savings, higher trust levels, and potential unfamiliarity with technology, and recommends seniors watch for red flags including urgency, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, crypto), poor grammar, and suspicious requests—while seeking a second opinion before sharing personal information or money.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
An elderly couple in Karnataka's Belagavi district died by suicide after losing Rs 50 lakh to a digital arrest scam that targeted them from January onward, with fraudsters claiming illegal activity on a SIM card registered in their names and continually demanding money despite repeated payments. The article highlights that seniors are increasingly targeted by scammers due to their larger savings and limited digital literacy, with many scams—including romance and impersonation schemes—going unreported due to victims' fear and embarrassment.
koco.com
This article is not relevant to elder fraud research. It discusses "microcheating" in romantic relationships, primarily focusing on social media interactions and communication boundaries between partners. The content addresses relationship dynamics, communication advice, and psychological perspectives on modern infidelity—topics outside the scope of Elderus, which tracks scams, fraud, and elder abuse.
theleader.info
Spanish Civil Guard arrested 21 individuals and investigated 4 others connected to an organized romance scam network that defrauded over 70 victims of approximately €1.5 million. The criminal group, operating across Spain, Europe, and Africa, used fake profiles and emotional manipulation to convince victims they were in genuine relationships, then solicited large money transfers; one victim lost €94,000. The organization employed document forgers, money launderers, and "money mules" to conceal funds through fraudulent bank accounts, export schemes, and international transfers.
irishnews.com
A middle-aged TV chef lost £300,000 to a romance scam perpetrated by his biological mother, whom he had not seen in 40 years and reconnected with after she contacted him claiming to be terminally ill and needing financial assistance. The scammer exploited his emotional vulnerability and desire for maternal connection, convincing him to provide loans for travel, luxury accommodations, and inheritance arrangement fees, with promises of repayment from a supposed multi-million pound inheritance. A DNA test ultimately confirmed the woman's true identity, revealing that his own birth mother had deliberately defrauded him after abandoning him in childhood.
aarp.org
Debbie Crisp's mother, Donna, died suddenly in North Carolina, and while sorting through her belongings, Debbie's daughter discovered evidence that Donna had been the victim of a romance scam that stole over $400,000 from her. Donna had hidden this painful secret, leaving behind correspondence with the US Postal Inspection Service and a victim's advocate. A US Postal Inspector is now investigating the elaborate romance scam operation responsible for stealing millions from dozens of victims, with hopes of catching the ringleader and achieving justice for Donna and others affected.
theregister.com
Five romance scammers were convicted in the UK for operating a multimillion-pound fraud scheme that defrauded at least 99 victims out of an estimated £3.25 million ($4.22 million). The criminals posed as romantic interests on dating websites to build trust with vulnerable individuals—often recently divorced or widowed—and repeatedly scammed them until they had no money left, with proceeds laundered through the perpetrators' bank accounts. The case highlights the sophistication of romance fraud operations and emphasizes that victims should report incidents without shame, as such schemes exploit even intelligent individuals through well-honed manipulative tactics.
wtop.com
This educational article outlines major scams targeting older adults, including "pig butchering" (cryptocurrency investment fraud built through relationship manipulation), tech support scams, government impersonation scams, grandparent scams (sometimes using AI voice cloning), and sweepstakes/lottery scams. The article advises seniors and their families to watch for red flags such as urgency, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency), poor grammar, and to have trusted individuals review any communication requesting personal information or payment before responding.
bigcountrynewsconnection.com
Romance scams have evolved to use AI-generated profiles and sophisticated emotional manipulation, resulting in over $2.95 billion in losses in 2024—a 30% increase from 2023, according to FTC data. Scammers typically establish fake identities on social media, build trust with victims, and then solicit money through fabricated stories or fake investment opportunities. To protect themselves, consumers should guard personal information, conduct reverse image searches, insist on video/in-person meetings, avoid pressure to send money quickly, and report suspected scams to their financial institution, local law enforcement, the FBI's IC3, or the FTC.
cps.gov.uk
Five money launderers were convicted at Guildford Crown Court for operating a romance fraud scheme that defrauded 40 confirmed victims (with 99 suspected victims) of approximately £3.25 million. The criminals created fake dating profiles with fictional biographies to manipulate victims into believing they were in genuine relationships, then requested money for fabricated emergencies such as business trip expenses, fines, or stolen wallets. The stolen funds were laundered through the defendants' bank accounts, with victims often unable to recover their money and suffering significant emotional distress.
newtondailynews.com
Romance scams cost victims $547 million in 2021, an 80% increase from 2019, with scammers using fake online dating profiles to build trust before requesting money under false pretenses like medical emergencies or visa issues. The scams target vulnerable individuals seeking companionship by establishing emotional connections before exploiting their sympathy. Key protection strategies include being skeptical of rapid affection, resisting requests for money, conducting reverse image searches on profile photos, and reporting suspected scams to the FTC and dating platforms.
patch.com
A Coventry, Rhode Island resident lost over $100,000 in a romance scam after being contacted by someone posing as "John William" on the dating site Plenty of Fish, who convinced the victim to send money via gift cards, wire transfers, and Bitcoin over several months. Coventry police warned the public to avoid sending money to people met online and to be suspicious of requests involving gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
independent.ie
Romance scams occur when fraudsters create fake profiles on dating apps to build emotional connections with victims before requesting money. This educational guide from Irish fraud experts outlines warning signs including requests for money, inconsistent personal details, reluctance to video chat, and pressure to move conversations off dating platforms. Recognizing these red flags helps protect people from financial and emotional exploitation in online dating.
chroniclejournal.com
In February 2024, Melanie McGovern from Montreal's Better Business Bureau received a suspicious message from what appeared to be her 16-year-old niece's hacked Instagram account requesting money, alerting her to a rising tide of investment fraud in Canada. Investment scams—including impersonations via social media, deepfake voice calls, and fake cryptocurrency schemes—cost Canadians $310 million in 2024 (compared to $33.5 million in 2020), with victims losing a median of $5,000 per incident, though experts estimate 90-95% of cases go unreported. To protect themselves, Canadians should pause before responding to
english.kyodonews.net
Japan's yakuza membership fell to a record low of 18,800 in 2024, but authorities are increasingly confronting a new threat from anonymous criminal groups called "tokuryu" that conducted 10,105 profit-motivated crimes including fraud, robbery, and theft. These loosely-organized groups recruited over 3,900 members through social media with promises of illegal part-time work and orchestrated investment and romance scams that resulted in approximately 200 billion yen ($1.4 billion) in losses in 2024. While police have apprehended mid-level operatives, the highest-ranking leaders remain elusive, and some evidence suggests traditional yakuza organizations are profiting
actuarialpost.co.uk
A webinar session featured industry experts and Chris Bell from City of London Police discussing pension scam prevention efforts by PSAG and introducing a new fraud reporting service replacing Action Fraud. The session emphasized the importance of reporting suspected pension scams and fraud, and included a Q&A addressing common questions about these issues.