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in Romance Scams
aol.com
Katie Powell, a single mother from Portland, Oregon, lost $40,000 to a romance scammer on Tinder who posed as a civil engineer working in Turkey and used fabricated photos and emotional manipulation to build trust over several months before requesting money. The scammer also fraudulently moved $750,000 into her Vanguard retirement account, which was frozen and the funds disappeared; romance scams are increasingly prevalent, with the FTC reporting approximately 70,000 victims in 2022 alone, particularly targeting people ages 40-69, and one in ten dating app profiles are reportedly fake profiles created by scammers using AI technology.
wsmv.com
Senator Marsha Blackburn introduced the bipartisan Romance Scam Prevention Act with Senator John Hickenlooper, which would require dating apps to alert users about potential scammers and provide fraud prevention guidance. The legislation addresses a growing problem where romance scams cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022, with seniors particularly vulnerable to losing their life savings to con artists on dating platforms.
sooleader.com
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a consumer alert during National Consumer Protection Week about "pig butchering" scams, which combine romance fraud with cryptocurrency investment schemes targeting seniors. The scam operates by criminals building trust with victims through fake online profiles on dating sites and social media, then gradually persuading them to invest in bogus cryptocurrency opportunities through fraudulent websites. Consumers are advised to avoid sending money to online contacts, refrain from sharing financial information with strangers, be skeptical of promises of quick returns, and contact AARP's ElderWatch program at 800-222-4444 for peer counseling if they suspect fraud.
indianexpress.com
A woman in Shenzhen, China, defrauded at least 36 men by posing as a romantic partner on dating apps, convincing each to purchase apartments in Huizhou residential developments over the course of a month or two before disappearing and cutting off contact. The victims, primarily men in their 30s working in Shenzhen, were left with substantial mortgage payments and emotional trauma after discovering the coordinated romance scam. The perpetrator, Liu Jia, leveraged developer incentives and promises of marriage to make the property purchases seem legitimate before refusing to add her name to ownership documents and severing all ties with each victim.
irishmirror.ie
A 68-year-old retired care worker lost €25,000 to a romance scammer who posed as "Daniel Peeters," a widowed businessman, after they met on Match.com in May. Over four months, the fraudster used romantic gestures, fabricated emergencies (frozen bank accounts, business deals, a taxi accident), and fake documents to manipulate her into sending multiple wire transfers. Fortunately, solicitors from the National Fraud Helpline recovered all of her lost funds through a fraud reclaim scheme.
thenightly.com.au
Hundreds of fake Facebook accounts impersonating actor Martin Henderson have been used in a global romance scam targeting vulnerable women, with at least one US divorcee losing $375,000 over two years believing she was in a relationship with the star. The fake accounts, many operated from Nigeria, use stolen images from Henderson's official Instagram and Virgin River publicity materials to build emotional connections with middle-aged and lonely women before requesting money for travel, medical emergencies, or investments. Henderson has warned fans that he maintains only one verified Instagram account and experts advise looking for poor English and suspicious requests as warning signs of these catfish schemes.
cointelegraph.com
Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao called on Elon Musk to ban automated bots from X (formerly Twitter), which are used to spam the platform and perpetrate scams including fake token promotions, phishing attacks, and pump-and-dump schemes targeting crypto investors. Automated bots on X have also been weaponized for romance scams using AI-generated content and coordinated price manipulation of altcoins, though Musk has proposed solutions such as charging account creation fees without successfully implementing widespread bot controls since acquiring the platform in 2022.
cryptopolitan.com
This article is not about elder fraud and falls outside the scope of Elderus, which focuses on scams and abuse affecting seniors. The piece discusses bot activity on the X platform in general, with some mention of cryptocurrency scams, but does not address elder-specific fraud, elder abuse, or target elderly populations. It would not be appropriate to summarize for this database.
wmur.com
A global gift card fraud ring with ties to New Hampshire resulted in millions of dollars in losses from October 2023 through January 2024, with victims targeted through romance scams, elder fraud, and store card tampering to purchase high-end electronics that were resold overseas. Three Chinese nationals pleaded guilty in federal court, with prosecutors linking them to $4.8 million in fraudulent gift card purchases; a Salem warehouse search uncovered approximately $8 million in goods. Homeland Security Investigations and the New Hampshire U.S. Attorney's Office have established a restitution program allowing victims to recover funds by submitting gift card numbers and purchase receipts by June 30, 2024.
nypost.com
Romance scams targeting older Americans are on the rise, with the FTC reporting nearly 70,000 victims in 2022, with people over 70 suffering median losses of $9,475. Bipartisan lawmakers introduced the Romance Scam Prevention Act, which would require dating apps to notify users who have interacted with accounts banned for fraudulent activity, enforced by the FTC and state attorneys general. The legislation was prompted by cases like that of 43-year-old Aurora Phelps, who met older men on dating sites, drugged them, and stole from their accounts, resulting in at least two deaths and 21 criminal charges against her.
wcyb.com
Tennessee seniors lost $43 million to scams in 2023, with an 18% increase from the previous year, largely driven by romance scams on dating apps where perpetrators build trust before requesting money or financial access. U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn introduced the Romance Scam Prevention Act, which would require dating apps to notify users if they've communicated with someone banned for fraudulent activity and include warnings about potential scam attempts. The bill would be enforceable by the FTC and state attorneys general, addressing a nationwide problem in which romance scams alone cost victims $1.3 billion in 2022.
thinkstewartville.com
A man in Shanghai lost over $26,000 in an AI-powered romance scam where he believed he was in a genuine relationship with a woman who was actually a sophisticated artificial intelligence program. The scammers used AI-generated photos and videos, fabricated medical reports and identity documents, and created false scenarios requiring financial assistance to manipulate the victim into transferring approximately 200,000 yuan. The case illustrates the growing threat of AI-enabled fraud and highlights the emotional and financial devastation these scams inflict on victims seeking genuine human connection.
wgnsradio.com
Romance scams targeting seniors on dating apps have escalated significantly, prompting Senator Marsha Blackburn to introduce the Romance Scam Prevention Act, which would require dating platforms to notify users about fraudulent accounts they've interacted with. Seniors lost $1.3 billion nationally to romance scams in 2022, with Tennessee residents over 60 alone losing $43 million in 2023—an 18% increase year-over-year—as scammers exploit recently widowed or divorced individuals seeking meaningful connections.
ghanaweb.com
Ghana's Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has raised concerns about rising romance scams in the country, with 107 active cases under investigation since 2021. EOCO recovered approximately 2 million Ghana cedis in 2024 and is partnering with the UK's National Crime Agency and international law enforcement agencies to combat the fraud through improved intelligence sharing and whistleblowing strategies.
mirror.co.uk
A 68-year-old retired care worker lost £22,000 to a romance scammer who posed as a widower named "Daniel Peeters" on Match.com over a four-month period from June to November. The fraudster used stolen photographs and fabricated increasingly elaborate stories—including a frozen bank account, a hospital accident, and marriage proposals—to manipulate the victim into making repeated wire transfers. Fortunately, solicitors from the National Fraud Helpline recovered all of the victim's lost funds through a fraud reclaim scheme.
the-sun.com
Portland woman Katie Powell lost $40,000 through a romance scam on Tinder after matching with a man who claimed to be a civil engineer and convinced her to send money for a supposed medical emergency. The scammer used a fabricated hospital photo of MLB pitcher Phil Hughes and fake documentation to build trust over rapid texting conversations before the scheme unraveled when fraudulent credit card payments failed and her accounts were frozen. Cyber experts warn daters to watch for red flags including requests to move off dating apps, avoidance of video calls, sob stories, and requests for money, especially from those claiming to be abroad or traveling.
tampafp.com
Senator Marsha Blackburn introduced the bipartisan Romance Scam Prevention Act to protect dating app users, particularly seniors, from romance scams that cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022 and $43 million to Tennessee seniors over 60 in 2023 alone. The bill requires dating platforms to notify users when they have interacted with someone banned for fraud, addressing a gap where scammers shift conversations to private platforms like WhatsApp to avoid detection. Romance scam losses increased 70% between 2020 and 2022, with median individual losses of $4,400, prompting support from advocacy groups like AARP, though tech companies have raise
newschannel9.com
Tennessee seniors lost $43 million to scams in 2023, with an 18% increase from the previous year, largely driven by romance scams on dating apps where fraudsters build trust before requesting money for emergencies or loans. U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn introduced the Romance Scam Prevention Act to require dating apps to notify users who have interacted with accounts banned for fraudulent activity, including the banned member's profile details and fraud warnings. The bill would be enforceable by the FTC and state attorneys general, addressing a national problem where romance scams alone cost victims $1.3 billion in 2022.
foxnews.com
As romance scams targeting seniors surge, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers introduced the Romance Scam Prevention Act, which would require dating apps to notify users if they've communicated with someone banned for fraud. According to the FTC, nearly 70,000 Americans reported romance scam victimization in 2022, with people aged 70 and older experiencing median losses of $9,475, and Tennessee seniors over 60 losing $43 million in 2023. The legislation would be enforced by the FTC and allow state attorneys general to bring civil actions, addressing a growing threat exemplified by cases like Aurora Phelps, who was charged with using dating
blackburn.senate.gov
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn introduced the bipartisan Romance Scam Prevention Act to require dating apps to notify users who have interacted with individuals removed for fraudulent activity, addressing a growing threat to senior citizens. Romance scams cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022, with Tennesseans over 60 losing $43 million in 2023 alone, as scammers target recently widowed or divorced seniors through fake identities and move conversations to private platforms after account deactivation.
mylethbridgenow.com
Lethbridge Police warn of romance and relationship scams where fraudsters build trust with victims through fake online profiles on dating sites and social media, then request money under various pretexts. Red flags include excessive flattery ("love bombing"), reluctance to meet in person, claims of working overseas, requests for secrecy, and offers of investment coaching, with victims advised to refuse contact, protect personal information, and avoid sending money to strangers online. Victims are encouraged to report incidents to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (if no financial loss occurred) or to their bank and local police (if money was lost), as reports help prevent future victims even if immediate recovery is unlikely.
wfmj.com
**Summary:**
Scammers are using AI-generated fake profiles on dating apps to conduct romance scams targeting cryptocurrency from users. After building a false romantic connection over time, the automated bots request money transfers through cryptocurrency banking sites, with profiles designed to appear believable through realistic photos and conversational abilities. Users are advised to report suspicious profiles to police or dating app support teams and to ignore requests for money, as AI advancement makes prevention training more effective than technological countermeasures.
hbcubuzz.com
Over half of dating app users encounter potential scammers, with romance scams causing $1.14 billion in losses in 2023, prompting singles to use background-checking services like Instant Checkmate before meeting matches. The article explains that catfishing and romance fraud have become widespread problems, particularly affecting women under 50 (56% report unwanted explicit content) and men under 50 (63% encounter scammers), making digital due diligence an increasingly common safety practice. Background verification services aggregate public records including criminal histories, address information, and social media profiles to help daters make informed decisions about potential matches.
ghanaweb.com
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) announced a significant rise in romance scams, with 107 active cases currently under investigation. EOCO is collaborating with international partners including the FBI and the Financial Intelligence Center to combat the fraud, and recovered approximately GH¢2 million in 2024 as part of these efforts.
citinewsroom.com
Ghana's Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) has been investigating at least 107 romance scam cases since 2021, with scammers increasingly using artificial intelligence to deceive victims, and recovered approximately 2 million Ghana cedis in 2024 alone. EOCO launched a fraud reporting campaign in partnership with the UK's National Crime Agency to combat romance fraud through whistleblower mechanisms and international cooperation, emphasizing the need for cross-border collaboration among law enforcement agencies. The campaign encourages public reporting of suspicious activities to help protect victims from the devastating financial and emotional effects of romance scams.
michigan.gov
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel reissued a consumer alert on "pig butchering" scams during National Consumer Protection Week, describing a sophisticated fraud that combines romance scams with cryptocurrency investment schemes targeting seniors. The scam typically begins with fraudsters creating fake profiles on dating apps or social media to build trust with victims before gradually introducing fake investment opportunities in cryptocurrency, often promising unrealistic returns. Nessel and AARP experts recommend consumers avoid sending money to online-only contacts, never share financial information with strangers, and be suspicious of unsolicited investment opportunities, with AARP's ElderWatch program available to help at 800-222-4444.
cnbc.com
Cybercrime marketplaces are dramatically lowering the barriers to entry for fraud, enabling less-skilled individuals to conduct sophisticated scams through "cybercrime-as-a-service" platforms that sell malicious tools, stolen data, and hacking expertise. These organized underground markets—including darknet sites and public platforms like Huione Guarantee—operate with corporate-like structures and cryptocurrency payments to facilitate illicit activities, with vendors on major platforms processing billions in transactions. Experts warn this professionalization and accessibility of cybercrime resources poses unprecedented global cybersecurity and fraud threats.
kgw.com
A Portland woman lost over $40,000 in a romance scam after matching with a man on Tinder who posed as a civil engineer in Turkey and used fake hospital photos and fabricated documentation to build trust over several months before requesting money. The scammer used altered images of former MLB pitcher Phil Hughes and eventually moved $750,000 into her Vanguard retirement account before the funds disappeared when red flags prompted the company to freeze the account. According to experts, romance scams are increasingly common and sophisticated, with the FTC reporting $547 million in consumer losses to such scams in 2021, aided by AI technology that allows scammers to manipulate photos and deepfakes.
lethbridgepolice.ca
Romance scams are confidence schemes where criminals build fake online relationships through dating sites and social media to eventually solicit money from victims. Key warning signs include rapid declarations of love, reluctance to meet in person, requests for money or crypto investments, and discouragement of telling others about the relationship. Victims are advised to avoid sharing personal information, never send money to strangers, enable multi-factor authentication, and report incidents to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (if no loss occurred) or local police and financial institutions (if money was lost).
iol.co.za
A 46-year-old nurse from North West province, South Africa, lost R520,000 from her FNB account in November 2022 after being romantically scammed by a man claiming to be "Ivan Tusiime" from Kenya. The funds were withdrawn from an FNB branch in Johannesburg that the victim had never visited, and a funeral policy was fraudulently opened in her name during the same transaction. Despite reporting the matter to police and FNB multiple times, the investigation was closed in November 2023 with no leads pursued, leaving the victim without resolution or recovery of her pension money.
wgal.com
The Better Business Bureau's 2024 Scam Tracker Risk Report identified investment/cryptocurrency scams, employment scams, and romance scams as the three riskiest fraud types, with romance scams causing the highest median loss at $6,099 and investment scams affecting over 80% of targets. While the overall number of scam reports with losses decreased 14.6%, the median loss amount increased 30% year-over-year to $130, with adults 65 and older experiencing the highest median losses at $160, followed by ages 18–24 at $150. Publishers Clearing House was the most impersonated organization, and scams conducte
globenewswire.com
A TransUnion survey found that 85% of women and 87% of men want dating platforms to verify user information such as age, photos, and location to combat misrepresentation. The report revealed that over 28% of dating app users experienced catfishing and 21% were victimized by romance scammers demanding money or attempting phishing schemes, with at least 70% of all users expressing concern about dating app fraud. The study indicates consumers are willing to undergo background checks and potentially pay for verification features to increase trust and safety on dating platforms.
ksltv.com
Romance scammers increasingly target lonely individuals on dating apps and social media using stolen photos and AI-generated deepfakes to establish fake identities. A Utah woman lost $187,000 to a cryptocurrency investment scam, another became an unwitting money mule, and innocent West Haven resident Justin Yoder faced harassment after his photos were stolen and used to defraud victims. Reverse image searches and awareness of common tactics—such as targeting vulnerable individuals and gradually building trust before requesting money—can help people identify catfishing attempts before falling victim.
substack.com
Scammers are increasingly targeting Substack writers and readers through impersonation of public figures like Keanu Reeves and the author themselves, using engagement patterns and trust-building tactics to gather information before attempting to defraud victims. The author, who lost one-third of her retirement funds to a scam in 2022, warns that sophisticated scammers profile users by age, hobbies, and interactions, and notes that recent romance scams alone exceeded half a billion dollars. She urges the community to be vigilant about fake celebrity accounts and impersonators, as even highly educated individuals and tech professionals have fallen victim to these schemes.
nottinghammd.com
**Summary:**
A Baltimore County man, Ambrose A. Obinna Warrior, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for operating as an unlicensed money transmitter in romance, business email compromise, and investment scams from March 2018 through August 2021. Warrior transferred or attempted to transfer over $700,000 in victims' funds, with confirmed losses of at least $467,912, receiving a percentage of each transaction.
yahoo.com
The FTC has reported over 64,000 romance scams in the U.S. since 2023, with people ages 40-69 most likely to report losses and those 70+ experiencing median losses of $9,475. Scammers create fake profiles on dating apps and social media to build trust with victims before requesting money or cryptocurrency investments, and the FBI, FTC, and AARP recommend verifying photos through image search, consulting trusted contacts, and never sending money to online-only connections. Victims should immediately contact their bank or payment service, report to ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and call AARP's fraud helpline at 1-
naplesnews.com
Romance scammers create fake profiles on dating apps and social media to build trust with victims before requesting money or personal information; the FTC has reported over 64,000 cases since 2023, with people ages 70 and older experiencing the highest median losses at $9,475 per incident. Warning signs include rapid relationship development, requests to move communications off-platform, isolation tactics, and never meeting in person. To protect yourself, verify photos through reverse image searches, confide in trusted friends, avoid sending money to online-only contacts, and report suspected scams to the FTC, the platform, or AARP's fraud helpline.
cbsnews.com
A North Texas man lost approximately $500,000 in a crypto-romance scam after being contacted by a woman named "Gianna" on the dating site Silver Singles. Over several months, the scammer built an emotional relationship with him, then convinced him to invest in cryptocurrency on a fake platform showing false profits, eventually pressuring him to withdraw his 401(k) to invest more money. The victim is now selling his home and returning to work to pay off his debts, while the Better Business Bureau warns that such hybrid romance-investment scams are increasingly common, with nearly half of all investment scams involving cryptocurrency and scammers often targeting victims who keep the schemes secret from family and friends.
pymnts.com
Financial institutions are increasingly using behavioral analytics and "smart friction" to combat escalating fraud, which costs the industry an estimated trillion dollars annually. Investment scams average $1,104 in losses while romance scams result in median losses of $1,996 and involve nearly twice as many transactions as other fraud types. Banks are adopting real-time data analysis, AI-powered pattern recognition, and inter-bank information sharing to identify suspicious transactions and strategically introduce authentication challenges that balance security with customer convenience.
cbc.ca
Toronto residents are experiencing rising rates of cryptocurrency and romance scams, according to Toronto police. The article examines why these fraud schemes are becoming increasingly prevalent in the city, with vulnerable residents being targeted through digital platforms and deceptive relationships.
spectrumlocalnews.com
The Better Business Bureau's 2024 Risk Report identifies investment and cryptocurrency scams as the highest-risk fraud type with a median loss of $5,000, followed by employment scams ($1,500 median loss) and romance scams ($6,099 median loss—the highest per-victim cost and ranked third for the first time). Scammers typically invest significant time building relationships with victims, with online and home improvement scams also among the top five reported fraud categories.
justice.gov
Ambrose A. Obinna Warrior, 44, of Maryland, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business that facilitated romance, business email compromise, and investment scams from March 2018 through August 2021. Warrior transmitted or attempted to transfer over $700,000 in fraudulent proceeds by depositing victims' funds into bank accounts and shell companies, retaining approximately 20% in fees while distributing the remainder to other scheme participants, with documented victim losses of at least $467,912.
wral.com
Michon Griffin, 46, of Wake County was sentenced to two years in prison for her role as a money mule in a $2 million international romance scam, where she received and laundered fraudulent funds through 16 financial institutions before wiring them to coconspirators in Nigeria. Griffin pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and making false statements on her tax returns, earning $300,000 in commissions that she failed to report, and was ordered to pay $109,119 in restitution to the IRS.
punchng.com
A 47-year-old Nigerian national, Darlington Akporugo, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy for operating a nationwide romance scam from Houston that defrauded more than 25 elderly and retired victims of over $3 million. Operating over seven years, Akporugo and co-conspirators used fake identities on social media to build trust with victims, then manipulated them into sending money for fictitious business ventures and emergencies, with much of the stolen funds funneled overseas. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine at sentencing scheduled for June 6.
audacy.com
In 2024, 53% of men and 47% of women experienced romance scams in online dating environments, with scammers impersonating military personnel or celebrities to build trust before requesting money or personal information from victims. The FBI reported that over 64,000 romance scams were reported in 2023 alone, resulting in $1.14 billion in losses. Veterans are advised to verify identities of new online contacts, protect sensitive information, be cautious of financial requests, trust their instincts, and report suspicious activity to relevant authorities including the FTC or VA benefits hotline.
thenationonlineng.net
A 47-year-old Nigerian national, Darlington Akporugo, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy charges for orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded over 25 elderly and retired Americans of more than $3 million across multiple states. Akporugo used fake identities on social media to manipulate victims into sending money, opening lines of credit in his name, and purchasing luxury items, and now faces up to 20 years in federal prison with sentencing scheduled for June 6, 2025.
bostonglobe.com
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hongkongbuzz.hk
A middle-aged woman in Sai Kung lost $150,000 to a romance scammer who convinced her he needed money to travel to meet her. According to HSBC, romance scams are widespread in Hong Kong, with 30% of residents targeted by such scams and an average loss of $4,000, though victims aged 25-39 are most vulnerable due to oversharing personal information online. The bank advises protecting personal details, avoiding money transfers to unknown online contacts, and reporting suspected fraud immediately to authorities and financial institutions.
pasadenanow.com
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service issued a National Consumer Protection Week warning about imposter scams where fraudsters pose as friends, relatives, or organizations using urgent messages ("I'm in trouble," "You've won!") to steal personal information and money. The advisory recommends verifying unexpected financial requests through direct contact, avoiding clicking suspicious links, ignoring unsolicited postal service communications, and registering with the National Do Not Call Registry, with victims able to report scams at (877) 876-2455.
nzherald.co.nz
Multiple women, including an American who lost $375,000, fell victim to romance scams using the likeness and identity of actor Martin Henderson over an extended period, with victims spanning the United States, Britain, and Ireland. After one victim's story was publicized, four additional women came forward, and scammers subsequently attempted secondary extortion by posing as private investigators offering money recovery services. Henderson has issued public warnings that he does not initiate contact through messaging apps and expressed concern that advancing deepfake technology could make such scams increasingly sophisticated and difficult to detect.