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in Romance Scams
ksl.com
A Provo man in his 70s lost $186,000 over two years in a romance scam in which a person claiming to be a woman from Maryland convinced him to send money via multiple cash app accounts for an inheritance claim and promised relocation to Utah, with investigators believing a video call between them may have been AI-generated. Provo police used the case to warn of increasing online scams targeting seniors, including impersonation schemes (law enforcement, banks, utilities), tech support fraud, and kidnapping hoaxes, recommending that victims hang up on unsolicited callers and verify requests through official channels.
wxyz.com
An Oxford, Michigan woman, 68-year-old Sandy Selvan, lost her entire life savings of approximately $475,000 to a romance scammer who impersonated actor Mark Harmon over Facebook and a messaging app. The scammer convinced Selvan to sell her home and car over the course of ten months, claiming he needed funds while working on a film in Italy and promising to marry her and support her and her adult son with special needs. After Selvan sent the money, the scammer's account disappeared, leaving her with no assets and facing eviction.
norfolktoday.ca
During Fraud Prevention Month, authorities highlight romance scams as a persistent threat in the province, where scammers build emotional connections with victims through online dating sites before requesting money. A variation called "Pig Butchering" involves scammers posing as romantic interests to lure victims into fraudulent investment or financial schemes rather than requesting travel funds. Police emphasize that victims should not feel ashamed, as scammers employ sophisticated manipulation tactics designed to exploit trust and connection.
wlrn.org
Florida ranked as the number one state for fraud according to a Federal Trade Commission report, with $866 million in reported losses last year, and South Florida leading the nation with over 171,000 fraud reports. Romance scams were the most costly scheme, causing $89 million in losses to Floridians, followed by job and real estate scams. A Miramar woman was sentenced to 30 months in prison in January for laundering nearly $3 million from romance scams.
fox11online.com
Manitowoc police are warning of a dramatic increase in scams, including romance schemes where scammers gradually request money and personal information before using explicit photos for blackmail, and impersonation scams where callers pose as law enforcement demanding payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency for alleged court fines or debts. Police emphasize that government agencies never request payments through cryptocurrency ATMs or gift cards, and advise victims to verify any such requests before sending funds.
bromley.gov.uk
Bromley Trading Standards warns that romance fraud is a significant threat, with Bromley residents reporting nearly £1 million in losses during January 2025 alone. Fraudsters create fake dating profiles, build emotional connections with victims, then request money under false pretenses (claiming emergencies or business problems) with no intention of repayment. Protection involves keeping communication on official dating platforms, verifying identities through reverse image searches, never sending money to people you haven't met in person, and consulting family or friends rather than keeping relationships secret.
idtechwire.com
**Summary:**
Bumble launched a biometric ID verification feature across 11 markets, including the US and UK, allowing users to verify their identity through government-issued IDs and selfies to combat romance scams on the platform. The optional feature provides a profile badge for verified users and includes a companion safety tool called "Share My Date" that enables users to share date details with trusted contacts; however, Bumble is simultaneously facing a $40 million class action lawsuit in Illinois over biometric privacy violations.
koreaherald.com
Two men in their 20s were sentenced to four years in prison by a Busan court for their roles in a romance scam that defrauded eleven victims of 2.8 billion won ($1.9 million). The defendants traveled to Cambodia in January 2024 to join a fraud ring, where they worked at a call center impersonating women via Telegram to build relationships with victims before convincing them to invest in cryptocurrency or fake business opportunities.
lexology.com
A federal court in Arizona ordered the fraudulent digital asset platform Debiex to pay a penalty for operating an online romance scam network that targeted victims. The case involved cryptocurrency and digital assets used to facilitate the romance scam scheme. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission pursued enforcement action against the platform for its role in the financial fraud operation.
msutoday.msu.edu
Global cybercrime cost nearly $10 trillion in the previous year and is expected to rise in 2025, with scammers increasingly targeting everyday people through common fraud schemes. Michigan State University experts highlight three major scam types: package delay scams (smishing texts impersonating delivery services), romance fraud (building fake emotional relationships to extract money), and other cyber threats, offering guidance on protection strategies such as verifying official websites and recognizing common fraudster tactics like fake military profiles or stolen social media images.
citizen.co.za
A Benoni teacher narrowly escaped a romance scam after meeting a man who posed as a wealthy lecturer and royal family member, using elaborate rituals in a fake "prayer room" to gain her trust and eventually pressure her to take out a loan to "clean" money he claimed appeared in a trunk. The scammer disappeared when the victim's loan applications were declined due to debt review status, and she later discovered the man was merely a tenant in someone else's home. The teacher is sharing her experience to warn other women to recognize red flags in romance scams that exploit trust and emotions.
news-press.com
In 2023, seniors lost $3.4 billion to financial scams, with common schemes including grandparent scams, fake financial institution impersonations, tech support fraud, government impersonation, and romance scams that exploit older adults' trust and emotional vulnerabilities. The article advises seniors to be wary of anyone demanding immediate payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers, and to verify requests through official channels before sending money. These scams cause not only significant financial losses but also lasting emotional and psychological harm to victims.
mk.co.kr
"Team mission" is a financial fraud scheme in which perpetrators attract victims to fake shopping sites by promising gift certificates for product reviews, then lure them into Telegram chat rooms where fake participants encourage them to make "joint purchases" with promises of cash returns or bonuses—before disappearing with the money. South Korea's National Police Agency announced an intensive crackdown on this scam, which has resulted in significant losses: the Seoul Metropolitan Police arrested 54 people for stealing 8.8 billion won from 301 victims, and the Gwangju Metropolitan Police arrested 12 people for defrauding 11 victims of 305 million won between November 2023 and September
ca.news.yahoo.com
Investment scams remain the most prevalent fraud scheme in Canada, with over $310 million in reported losses in 2024 and more than $1 billion since 2021, often employing artificial intelligence and deepfake videos featuring public figures to appear legitimate. Scammers typically lure victims through social media ads, fraudulent Google search results, and fake endorsements, initially providing small returns to build trust before preventing withdrawals once larger sums are invested. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and Royal Newfoundland Constabulary advise victims to avoid pressure tactics, conduct due diligence before investing, and report incidents to authorities, noting that fraud networks operate as sophisticated criminal enterprises targeting vulnerable
cbc.ca
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reported over $310 million in investment fraud losses in 2024, with more than $1 billion lost since 2021, as scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence and deepfakes to create convincing fraudulent investment platforms and cryptocurrency schemes. Victims are typically lured through social media ads, fake search results, or impersonated contacts, receive small returns on initial investments to build trust, but lose their money when attempting larger withdrawals. Law enforcement warns that fraudsters use urgency tactics and target vulnerable populations, with romance scams also prevalent; Canada's fraud industry is estimated at $100 million annually.
the-sun.com
An elderly widow who had accumulated significant wealth through early Coca-Cola investments lost her entire fortune to an online scammer despite family warnings and police intervention; she now lives in assisted living on a $5,000 monthly VA pension with only $1,000 remaining after care costs. The article documents this case alongside similar romance scams targeting affluent seniors, including a 73-year-old Boeing retiree who lost over $20,000 to a scammer posing as an MSNBC anchor, and notes that banks typically cannot reimburse authorized transfers to scammers. Prevention strategies emphasized include skepticism of online offers, resistance to pressure tactics, verification of contacts, an
today.com
Online scammers are targeting vulnerable seniors on dating sites, deceiving them into sending money through romance scams. Lawmakers are advancing a bipartisan bill that would require dating apps to warn users about flagged accounts, as experts warn that AI technology is making these scams increasingly difficult to detect.
mondovisione.com
The U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona issued a default judgment against Debiex, a fraudulent digital asset trading platform, finding it liable for defrauding customers and misappropriating over $2 million in funds. The scheme involved coordinated "solicitors" who used romance scams on social media to recruit victims, fake "customer service" representatives, and money mules who received misappropriated funds through digital asset wallets. The court ordered Debiex to pay $221,466 in civil penalties and over $2.2 million in restitution, while approximately $120,000 in digital assets were recovered from a relief defendant's
yahoo.com
Beth Hyland, 54, lost $26,000 to a romance scam after meeting "Richard," a scammer posing as a French construction manager on a dating app who used love-bombing tactics and fake promises of a large payout to manipulate her into sending money via bitcoin and loans. The scammer, identified as part of a Nigerian criminal organization known as "Yahoo boys," was never caught, and Hyland's case inspired bipartisan legislation in Congress (introduced by Senators Marsha Blackburn and John Hickenlooper) requiring dating apps and social media platforms to remove or flag known scammers and notify users who interacted with fraudulent accounts.
fxnewsgroup.com
Debiex, a fraudulent cryptocurrency platform, was ordered by a U.S. District Court in Arizona to pay $2.4 million in restitution and penalties after misappropriating over $2 million from customers through a sophisticated romance scam involving "solicitors" who befriended victims on social media, fake trading accounts, and money mules to launder funds. The scheme targeted U.S. citizens by posing as a legitimate digital asset trading platform while never actually conducting any trades, instead stealing customer deposits.
pattayamail.com
A 31-year-old Chinese man was arrested at Chiang Mai Airport for using dating apps to lure male tourists to hotels, where he robbed them of cash, credit cards, and valuables; he had committed similar crimes across Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China. Thai authorities reported that between March 2022 and March 2025, dating app fraud cases totaled 1,415 incidents with losses exceeding 350 million baht, and warned the public to avoid sharing personal information with strangers online and to be suspicious of overly attractive profiles requesting money.
yourvalley.net
Romance scams are evolving to incorporate AI-generated videos and images to impersonate celebrities and create fake online relationships, with scammers targeting people of all ages but particularly vulnerable seniors who feel isolated. A French woman lost $850,000 to a fraudster claiming to be Brad Pitt who used AI to fabricate hospital photos and impersonate the actor, requesting money for medical treatment. Consumers should watch for red flags including unsolicited urgent contact, requests for personal information, and demands for upfront payments, and can verify suspicious photos through reverse image searches.
nbcnews.com
Beth Hyland, 54, lost $26,000 in a romance scam after meeting "Richard," a man posing as a French construction manager on a dating app, who used "love bombing" tactics and a fake Qatar job opportunity to extract money via bitcoin before disappearing. The scammer was identified as part of a Nigerian criminal group known as the "Yahoo boys," and law enforcement was unable to apprehend him. Her case inspired bipartisan federal legislation requiring dating apps and social media platforms to remove or flag known scammers and notify users who interacted with fraudulent accounts.
fhtimes.com
Romance scams are evolving with AI-generated videos and images to impersonate celebrities and create fake relationships, with scammers targeting Arizonans of all ages—particularly isolated seniors—to extract thousands of dollars through emotional manipulation and fabricated emergencies. A French woman lost $850,000 to a fraudster impersonating Brad Pitt using AI-generated hospital images, exemplifying how scammers build trust over months before requesting wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. Consumers should watch for red flags including unsolicited contact with urgency, requests for personal information, upfront payment demands, and suspicious grammar, and can verify photos through reverse image searches.
nbcnews.com
Romance scams are surging and costing victims billions of dollars, prompting congressional attention and bipartisan legislative efforts. Lawmakers are advancing a bill that would require dating apps to issue warnings about flagged accounts, while experts warn that artificial intelligence is making these scams increasingly difficult for users to detect.
cftc.gov
A federal court ordered the digital asset platform Debiex to pay over $2.2 million in restitution plus $221,466 in penalties for defrauding customers through a sophisticated online romance scam. The scheme involved "solicitors" who posed as romantic interests on social media to lure victims into opening fake trading accounts, while "money mules" like relief defendant Zhāng Chéng Yáng transferred misappropriated funds through digital asset wallets. The court also ordered approximately $120,000 in digital assets recovered from Zhang's wallet be returned to one victim, though the CFTC cautioned that full fund recovery may not materialize depending on
identityweek.net
Bumble dating app launched an optional biometric ID verification feature using government-issued IDs and selfies to combat rising romance scams, allowing verified users to display a badge and filter for other verified profiles. The feature, developed by Veriff, is available in 11 markets including the U.S. and UK, with plans for expansion, matching similar security measures already deployed by competitor Tinder. Bumble also introduced a "Share Date" safety feature enabling users to share date details with trusted contacts, addressing the growing problem of romance scammers who build trust with users before requesting money.
wvnews.com
The Pleasant Community Education Outreach Service (CEOS) in Point Pleasant, West Virginia held a meeting on March 13 where member Elaine Matheny presented an educational lesson on scams targeting senior citizens, covering ten types of fraud including telephone scams, IRS scams, romance scams, tech support scams, and lottery scams, along with prevention tips. The lesson, written by Gina Taylor and Carter Taylor, was designed to educate the community on how to recognize and avoid common elder fraud schemes.
ccpc.ie
This Global Money Week awareness article outlines common scams targeting young people, including money mule schemes (where individuals are tricked into laundering illegal funds through their bank accounts), fake ticket sales for sold-out events, and risky cryptocurrency and forex investments that often operate as scams through romance schemes or phishing. The piece emphasizes protective measures such as never sharing bank details with untrusted parties, purchasing tickets only from official sources, and verifying investment legitimacy before committing funds.
billingsgazette.com
This article explains two types of online scams: catfishing and phishing. Catfishing involves creating fake online personas to deceive victims emotionally and financially, often starting as romance scams that lead to requests for money or gifts. Phishing attacks use fraudulent links, emails, and websites impersonating trusted organizations to steal personal information like passwords, bank details, and Social Security numbers for identity theft or financial exploitation.
nzherald.co.nz
Dating and romance scams cause significant financial and emotional harm, with victims in New Zealand losing an average of $18,000 per incident, and some cases exceeding $375,000 when scammers impersonate celebrities like Martin Henderson and Brad Pitt. Victims often experience shame and delayed awareness of losses as money drains gradually from their accounts, while some scammers themselves are victims held in "scam farms" under exploitative conditions. The rise of dating apps and AI-generated deepfakes has made these schemes increasingly difficult to detect and prevalent.
cknxnewstoday.ca
During the first two months of 2025, the Grey Bruce OPP received 72 fraud reports, with romance scams, grandparent scams, cryptocurrency schemes, gift card scams, and e-transfer fraud being the most common. Constable Krista Linthorne advises the public to avoid pressure to act quickly on money requests, never share personal or financial information via unsolicited calls or texts, and remember that legitimate government agencies and banks will never contact citizens requesting such information. Those who suspect fraud or lose money should immediately contact their bank and credit bureau, while confirmed victims should report to police and use the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for additional resources.
cknxnewstoday.ca
During March Anti-Fraud Month, the Ontario Provincial Police reported 72 fraud calls in the Grey Bruce area from January through early March 2024, with romance scams, grandparent scams, cryptocurrency schemes, gift card scams, and e-transfer fraud being the most common types. Constable Krista Linthorne advised the public to avoid acting under pressure, never share financial information via unsolicited communications, and verify requests by contacting institutions directly. Victims should immediately contact their bank and credit bureau to freeze accounts, report losses to police, and those who identify attempted scams should contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
bucks.crimewatchpa.com
This educational piece from a Bucks County Sheriff addresses the rising threat of fraud targeting seniors, particularly grandparent scams, government impersonation schemes, tech support fraud, romance scams, and phishing attacks. The article emphasizes that seniors are vulnerable targets and provides concrete prevention strategies including verifying contacts independently, protecting personal information, resisting pressure tactics, and reporting suspected fraud to local police. The key message is that protecting seniors from fraud is a community-wide responsibility requiring awareness and vigilance.
buckscountyherald.com
Scammers target seniors of all financial means, exploiting their politeness and vulnerability through schemes like grandparent scams, credit card theft, investment fraud, and romance scams. National fraud losses reached $12.5 billion last year, with Pennsylvania ranking sixth in fraud reports; AARP's Consumer Issues Task Force, staffed by 15 volunteers including former postal inspector Tony Wolchasty, educates seniors about common scams and advises victims to report to local police and contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 1-877-908-3360.
occrp.org
Friday Jeremiah Adejoh, a 30-year-old Nigerian, is wanted by U.S. prosecutors for allegedly operating a romance scam that defrauded an Orange County, California e-sports athlete of $1.3 million in bitcoin. Working with co-conspirators, Adejoh created a fake dating profile under the name "Mabel" and a fraudulent cryptocurrency trading platform called "Whalepool.tech" to trick the victim into depositing bitcoin, which they promised would generate investment returns. Shortly after cashing out the stolen cryptocurrency in 2020, Adejoh purchased two Dubai properties worth approximately $860,000 combined, and currently res
finance.yahoo.com
A Texas retiree lost approximately $500,000 in a romance-investment scam after meeting a woman named "Gianna" on the dating site Silver Singles, who gradually persuaded him to invest in cryptocurrency over several months. The scammer used fabricated account statements showing investment gains to encourage him to withdraw his 401(k) and continue sending money, eventually disappearing with his funds. To recover his losses, Dalrymple plans to return to full-time work and sell his home; the scam exemplifies a growing trend combining romance and cryptocurrency fraud, with investment scams accounting for nearly half of all reported fraud cases involving cryptocurrency in 2024.
states.aarp.org
This AARP educational piece outlines multiple fraud schemes targeting older adults: gold bar scams where criminals impersonate bank officials to convince victims to withdraw savings for "safekeeping," fake cruise deal scams using fraudulent websites and ads, and romance scams involving cryptocurrency investments. The article provides prevention strategies including verifying legitimate sources, using credit cards for purchases, and recommends that family members support fraud victims through compassionate questioning and regular scam awareness discussions rather than blame.
wsfa.com
The Better Business Bureau's 2024 scam tracker report identified investment and cryptocurrency scams as the most dangerous fraud type, with a median loss of $5,000 per victim, often involving fake accounts showing false profits to lure additional investors. The report highlighted a concerning rise in "financial grooming" scams, where perpetrators build false romantic or business relationships to gradually extract money from victims until they have nothing left, targeting vulnerable individuals across all demographics, particularly those experiencing personal or financial hardship.
yahoo.com
Grandparent scams targeting seniors in Niagara County involve fraudsters posing as family members in distress and requesting money via gift cards or cash to avoid legal consequences; one local victim lost $24,000 after being told a family member was in jail. According to law enforcement, these scams are widespread across multiple states and increasingly use artificial intelligence to clone victims' voices, with perpetrators often operating from outside the region and employing local accomplices to collect payments. Sheriff officials recommend hanging up to verify claims directly with family members and note that legitimate law enforcement never requests gift cards or cash over the phone.
richmondobserver.com
Local law enforcement agencies in Hamlet, North Carolina are warning residents about persistent financial scams, including gift card scams, prize scams, and imposter schemes involving government agencies, tech support, and family members. One resident lost $16,000 in a relative-in-trouble scam in January 2024 when a suspect posing as the victim's grandson claimed to be in jail and arranged a cash pickup at a restaurant; the suspect, Bryan Buonjiovanni, 19, of Canada, was later arrested and charged with obtaining property by false pretenses. Police recommend residents verify requests through independent contact with family members, never purchase gift cards for payments, and create secret family passwords to prevent
fox7austin.com
Scammers are increasingly using fake online dating profiles on apps and social media to defraud people seeking romance, often investing months or years building trust before requesting money for fabricated emergencies or investment opportunities. One Austin resident lost $60,000 after being lured into cryptocurrency investments by a scammer posing as someone named Anna, while others face extortion threats if intimate photos are shared. The Better Business Bureau recommends avoiding sending intimate images, being suspicious of vague answers about personal details, insisting on in-person meetings, and never sending money to people you haven't met.
tasteofcountry.com
A Texas woman in her 30s was catfished by a Morgan Wallen impersonator who posed as the country singer on Instagram, eventually convincing her to apply for a fake job with his charity where she provided sensitive personal information including her social security number and bank account details. The scammer then used her credentials to have her purchase high-dollar gift cards, resulting in over $18,000 in debt and fears of bankruptcy. The scam involved deepfake video technology and a fake staffing agency, demonstrating that romance scams targeting celebrities can affect people of all ages and technical backgrounds.
miamitimesonline.com
This educational article outlines major scam trends for 2025, including AI-enhanced scams (phishing, deepfakes, voice cloning), imposter scams where fraudsters pose as trusted contacts or companies with a median loss of $800 per victim, sextortion schemes involving explicit content extortion, romance scams using fake profiles and deepfake video calls, and phone-based scams using robocalls and malware. The article emphasizes that scammers primarily seek personal information or money, and recommends skepticism when contacted unexpectedly, especially regarding urgent requests or investment opportunities.
technode.global
Malaysia recorded 770 love scam cases in 2024, down from 935 in 2023, but financial losses increased to RM45.9 million (from RM43.9 million in 2023). Fraudsters are increasingly using AI-generated chatbots and deepfake technology to create convincing fake profiles and manipulate victims emotionally and financially. A global survey found that 61% of respondents worry about encountering bots on dating apps, with 21% experiencing phishing attempts, highlighting the need for stronger user verification systems on digital dating platforms.
therecord.com
A Guelph-area senior lost $250,000 to an online romance scam that operated over approximately one year, during which the victim sent roughly $20,000 monthly to someone they met online and was instructed to purchase gift cards and provide the card numbers to the scammer. The victim eventually grew suspicious and reported the fraud to Wellington OPP, whose investigation is ongoing. The article also outlines common romance scam tactics—including fake profiles, requests for money under false pretenses, pressure to use private communication platforms, and discouragement from discussing the relationship with others—and provides resources for reporting suspected fraud.
dcnewsnow.com
A 70-year-old woman in Milesburg, Pennsylvania lost approximately $11,000 to a romance scam perpetrated over two to three years, during which she sent the scammer gift cards and checks. Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the case. The FBI recommends protecting yourself from romance scams by being cautious about online information sharing, verifying profiles through reverse image searches, being suspicious of individuals who avoid meeting in person or request money, and never sending funds to people you've only met online.
thesenior.com.au
Kylee Dennis, a former NSW Police detective, established Two Face Investigations to help identify romance scammers, particularly assisting women over 50 who suspect their online love interests are fraudulent. Her work was inspired by her mother's experience with a romance scammer posing as "Donald Johnson" and has been recognized with a nomination for Micro Business of the Year Award in the global Women Changing the World Awards; in 2024, Australians reported losing $23.6 million to dating and romance scams. Dennis advises people seeking online relationships to meet in person within two weeks of interaction or walk away, emphasizing that scammers often use isolation tactics to manipulate vulnerable victims seeking
yahoo.com
Bumble dating app has launched an optional ID verification feature in 11 countries, including the US and UK, allowing users to confirm matches' identities and filter for verified profiles to reduce romance scams and safety risks. The feature joins similar security additions like meeting detail sharing and inappropriate message reporting, positioning Bumble to compete with rival apps while addressing rising concerns about financial fraud and dangerous encounters on dating platforms.
digitaltrends.com
Dating app Bumble has launched an ID verification feature across 11 countries to combat romance scams and protect user safety, allowing users to filter matches by verified identity and share meeting details with trusted contacts. The voluntary verification feature, which joins similar initiatives by competitors like Tinder, aims to reduce financial scams, catfishing, and potential dangerous situations, particularly for younger users who comprise the majority of dating app users.