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in Romance Scams
nypost.com
"Floodlighting" is a deceptive dating tactic where individuals overshare personal trauma and intimate details early in a relationship to establish false trust and manipulate potential partners into feeling empathy and emotional connection. Dating experts warn that this emotionally manipulative strategy can exploit vulnerable singles by creating imbalanced relationship dynamics where one partner becomes an "emotional caretaker," potentially leading to burnout and emotional exhaustion for the person targeted by the oversharing.
myjoyonline.com
Aurora Phelps, 43, used online dating apps to meet at least four older men in 2021-2022, then drugged them with sedatives and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars through a scheme that resulted in at least three deaths. Phelps, currently in custody in Mexico, faces 21 federal charges including wire fraud, identity theft, and one count of kidnapping resulting in death, with prosecutors alleging she stole vehicles, drained bank accounts, sold stock worth $3.3 million, and purchased luxury items using her victims' accounts.
edmontonjournal.com
Edmonton lost approximately $48.1 million to fraud in 2024, with investment scams being the largest category at $14.1 million, followed by romance, employment, and identity fraud scams. Edmonton Police Service launched Fraud Prevention Month to educate the public on common tactics used by increasingly sophisticated scammers, including phone spoofing, phishing, social engineering, grandparent scams, and person-in-authority scams that exploit psychological manipulation and urgency to steal money and personal information.
edmonton.citynews.ca
In 2024, Edmonton residents lost over $48 million to fraud, with investment scams leading at $14.1 million, followed by romance scams at $1.7 million and employment fraud at $1.3 million. Police highlighted the emotional toll of these crimes, featuring the case of Heather Robicheau, who lost money to a year-long romance scam involving a fake cheque and false emergencies. During fraud prevention month, Edmonton Police and community partners urged residents to avoid sharing personal or financial information and to be skeptical of unsolicited requests for money, particularly those involving emotional manipulation or crisis scenarios.
tampafp.com
A 2024 Better Business Bureau report reveals that investment and romance scams are increasingly sophisticated, employing "financial grooming" tactics where scammers build trust over weeks or months before defrauding victims. Investment/cryptocurrency scams ranked as the riskiest scam type with an $5,000 median loss, while romance scams had the highest median loss at $6,099; people ages 65+ reported the highest median dollar loss ($160), and overall median losses rose 30% from 2023 to 2024. The report warns that victims often experience significant emotional impacts, with 60% reporting anger, 54% loss of trust, and 53.5%
viconsortium.com
During National Consumer Protection Week (March 2-8, 2025), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service warned of rising imposter scams in which fraudsters pose as trusted entities like family members, banks, or government agencies to manipulate victims into revealing personal information or sending money. The USPIS advises consumers to avoid responding to pressure tactics, verify contacts independently before sharing information, be cautious of grandparent and romance scams, ignore unsolicited USPS messages, and register with the National Do Not Call Registry. Suspected fraud can be reported to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 or online at www.uspis
vancouver.citynews.ca
Investment/cryptocurrency scams topped the list of fraud affecting Canadians and Americans in 2024, with over 80% of targeted victims losing money at a median loss of $5,000, according to a Better Business Bureau report. Employment scams ranked second, primarily targeting 18-34-year-olds with fake job offers requiring upfront equipment purchases that employers never reimburse. Romance and online purchasing scams also remained prevalent, with victims over 65 most susceptible, and nearly 30% of scam victims reporting negative mental health impacts.
wnegradio.com
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service warns consumers about four types of imposter scams during National Consumer Protection Week (March 2–8, 2025): investment scams using "get rich quick" schemes, grandparent scams requesting urgent bail or medical fees, romance scams exploiting isolated individuals, and other fraudulent schemes that manipulate victims into sending money or revealing personal information. The agency recommends verifying information independently, being suspicious of high-pressure sales tactics and urgent requests, and contacting relatives directly before sending funds.
kfiz.com
Romance scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence technology—including AI-generated images, deepfakes, and chatbots—to create convincing fake profiles on dating platforms and social media, making traditional detection methods like reverse image searches less effective. These scammers use AI to optimize targeting of vulnerable users and engage with multiple victims simultaneously, often without human interaction, to steal money and personal information. Consumers can protect themselves by verifying potential romantic interests' online histories, avoiding sharing money or personal details until identity is confirmed, and being cautious of "love bombing" and quick requests for money or personal information.
iomtoday.co.im
Isle of Man residents lost £2.2 million to scams and fraud in 2024, with suspicious email reports surging 50.7% to 9,372 cases, according to the Cyber Security Centre's Annual Threat Update. Investment scams caused the most damage at £1,278,920 across 35 cases, while account compromise, bank fraud, gift card fraud, and fraudulent websites also affected residents through phishing attacks, credential theft, and impersonation schemes. The report highlights the need for stronger cybersecurity awareness, including password protection and verification of requests for personal information or financial transactions.
mytexasdaily.com
A 47-year-old Houston man pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy in a romance scam that defrauded over 25 elderly and retired victims nationwide of more than $3 million. Darlington Akporugo used fake identities on social media to build trust with victims, then convinced them to invest in fake businesses or send money for fabricated personal emergencies, directing funds to accounts he controlled, often overseas. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine at sentencing scheduled for June 6.
ca.news.yahoo.com
When 13-year-old Lola clicked on a phishing email promising a free clothing voucher, she was redirected to enter her mother's debit card details for a claimed 99p verification charge, resulting in a £200 unauthorized transaction. Research from Vodafone found that nearly 840,000 British children aged 11-16 have been scammed online in the past year, with spoof ads and quizzes being the most common type of fraud, and 81% of parents reporting long-term psychological consequences including anxiety and depression in their children. The bank eventually refunded the money after a lengthy month-long process, but Lola advocates for greater online safety education
states.aarp.org
This article highlights AARP Arizona's fraud prevention efforts in response to a significant crisis: people over 60 reported $3.4 billion in fraud losses nationwide in 2023, with $128 million in Arizona alone. The article details common scams targeting older Arizonans—including romance scams, Bitcoin/cryptocurrency schemes, identity theft, and tech-support fraud—and emphasizes that prevention through awareness of red flags (unsolicited contact, high-pressure tactics, requests for personal information) is essential, as scam methods continually evolve with changing technology.
cnet.com
Scammers exploit digital payment apps like Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal to steal money from users, with customers at three banks losing over $870 million to Zelle scams since 2017. Common schemes include cash flipping, phishing, fake item sales, fake tickets, software glitches, and security deposit scams, all leveraging the difficulty of reversing digital payments once sent. Users should verify requests through official app channels, never pay sight unseen, and manually update apps through legitimate app stores rather than clicking suspicious links.
local.aarp.org
Fraud targeting older adults in Arizona and nationwide represents a significant crisis, with those 60 and over reporting $3.4 billion in losses nationally in 2023, including $128 million in Arizona, according to FBI data. AARP volunteer Jerry Watterworth and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes are leading prevention efforts by educating seniors about evolving scams including romance frauds, Bitcoin schemes, identity theft, and tech-support scams, emphasizing that fraudsters continuously adapt their methods and prevention through awareness of red flags is key. The article stresses that because scammers exploit human nature—the desire to trust and connect—older residents must remain vigilant across all communication
southtahoenow.com
El Dorado County Senior Services hosted a free educational presentation on March 3 featuring local law enforcement discussing current scams affecting the area, including romance, gift card, pig butchering, arrest warrant, check fraud, and cryptocurrency schemes. The presentation highlighted that the Federal Trade Commission reported $10 billion stolen in 2023, with actual losses likely much higher due to underreporting, and encouraged seniors to protect themselves and their loved ones from these fraud types.
abc.net.au
**Human Trafficking and Cyber Scams:** Vulnerable individuals from Vietnam and other regions are being trafficked to Myanmar and forced to operate cryptocurrency and romance scams that have cost Australians over $1 billion in investment losses and $190 million in romance scams over five years. Victims like Duong are deceived with false job offers, enslaved in remote compounds, subjected to physical abuse and starvation, and forced to create fake online profiles to defraud unsuspecting targets globally, with families often required to pay ransoms of $5,000-$10,000 to secure their release—amounts prohibitively expensive in countries where average monthly salaries are
states.aarp.org
AARP Maine operates a Fraud Watch Network Speakers Bureau that provides free 45-minute presentations to community groups on fraud prevention topics including identity theft and romance scams, available in person or virtually. Interested organizations can submit presentation requests through the AARP Maine website or contact AARP for more information.
travelandtourworld.com
During Carnival 2025, Brazilian authorities warned of an increasingly sophisticated romance scam targeting foreign travelers, particularly young male tourists and LGBTQ+ visitors, in which criminals use dating apps to lure victims, drug them, and steal their money, passports, and valuables, leaving them stranded. According to U.S. Consulate officials, American tourists have been particularly vulnerable during high-tourism periods, with similar schemes also reported in Colombia, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Mexico. Security experts recommend travelers use buddy systems, avoid drinks from strangers, secure valuables in hotel safes, and employ digital safety measures like location sharing to mitigate risks in unfamiliar nightlife environments.
digit.in
A man in Shanghai lost approximately $28,000 (200,000 yuan) in a romance scam where scammers used AI-generated images, videos, and fake identification documents to convince him he was in a long-distance relationship with a woman named Ms. Jiao who never existed. The victim was manipulated into sending money to support the supposed girlfriend's business and family healthcare expenses over an extended period without ever meeting in person. Shanghai police are investigating the case, which highlights growing concerns about the misuse of generative AI and deepfake technology in online romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals.
tribtoday.com
Organized scam operations, particularly from Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos, are increasingly targeting older adults and professionals through sophisticated "pig butchering" schemes that involve months of psychological grooming before stealing victims' money via cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or money transfer apps. Victims—including financial advisers, bank presidents, attorneys, and even FBI agents—lose funds that are rarely recovered, with artificial intelligence making scams more effective and harder to detect. The article recommends older adults protect themselves by verifying all communications, avoiding online dating sites, limiting social media activity, refusing cryptocurrency offers, and consulting trusted contacts before sending any money.
justice.gov
A 47-year-old Houston man pleaded guilty to operating a romance scam that defrauded over 25 victims, primarily elderly and retired individuals, of more than $3 million. The perpetrator used fake identities on social media to build relationships, then pressured victims to send money for fake business investments or personal emergencies, sometimes directing funds overseas and even obtaining credit lines in victims' names. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison at his June 6 sentencing.
nzherald.co.nz
Multiple women worldwide have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in romance scams impersonating actor Martin Henderson, with victims including an American woman who lost $375,000 over two years and another who transferred over $120,000 through payment apps after believing she was in a relationship with the actor. The scammers, operating on platforms like Telegram with doctored verification badges, used various pretexts (hospital stays, surgery, injuries) to prevent in-person meetings and extract money from emotionally vulnerable victims, some of whom continue to believe they are communicating with the real Henderson despite his public warning. The scam represents a broader pattern of identity-based romance fraud targeting fans of celebrities, resulting in significant financial
abc7news.com
A 57-year-old North Bay woman lost $300,000 to a romance scam after meeting a man named "Harry Burter" on a dating app who posed as a Los Altos resident traveling for work. The scammer used romantic language and fake identification documents to build trust before gradually requesting money for various work-related expenses, exploiting the victim's loneliness following her recent divorce. Experts note that dating app platforms need stronger safety measures and cross-platform information sharing to prevent fraudsters from using the same fake identities across multiple platforms.
ca.news.yahoo.com
A man in Shanghai lost approximately £22,000 in a romance scam involving an AI-generated fictional "girlfriend" named Ms Jiao, who scammers claimed needed money for medical bills and business funding. The scammer team used generative AI to create fake photos, videos, and medical documents to manipulate the victim, who never met the woman in person. This case exemplifies the growing threat of AI-enabled fraud, with similar scams targeting victims worldwide using deepfakes and AI-generated personas to impersonate celebrities or create fictional romantic interests.
click2houston.com
Darlington Akporugo, 47, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy for operating a nationwide romance scam targeting elderly victims through fake social media profiles. The scheme defrauded more than 25 victims of approximately $3 million and included convincing victims to open credit lines and purchase luxury items in his name. Akporugo faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine upon sentencing.
wkyt.com
A 74-year-old Kentucky woman lost her entire life savings of $180,000 in a gold coin scam after receiving a phone call from someone impersonating a Social Security Administration employee who claimed she was under fraud investigation. The scammer convinced her to drain her savings, purchase gold coins, and hand them off to a courier in a bank parking lot; after realizing the fraud, the emotional trauma led her to attempt suicide, and she remains hospitalized in critical condition. The FBI confirms a rising trend of government impersonation and precious metals scams targeting seniors, with Kentucky alone reporting 908 elder fraud complaints totaling over $12 million in 2023.
sg.news.yahoo.com
A Shanghai man lost approximately £22,000 in a romance scam involving an AI-generated "girlfriend" named Ms Jiao, who scammers claimed needed money for medical bills and business expenses. The scam team used generative AI to create fake photos, videos, and forged medical documents to convince the victim of the relationship's authenticity, which he never verified in person. This case exemplifies the growing use of AI technology in romance and impersonation scams targeting vulnerable individuals globally.
the-independent.com
A man in Shanghai lost approximately £22,000 in a romance scam after developing an online relationship with "Ms Jiao," an entirely fictional AI-generated persona created by scammers using deepfake videos, photos, and fake medical bills to convince him she needed urgent financial assistance. The scammers exploited generative AI technology to create realistic images and videos, and the victim never met the woman in person. This incident reflects a growing global trend of AI-enabled romance and impersonation scams targeting individuals for financial fraud.
the-independent.com
A Shanghai man lost approximately £22,000 to scammers who created a fictional AI "girlfriend" named Ms Jiao, using generative AI to produce realistic videos and photos along with fake medical bills to convince him she needed financial assistance. The scammer team exploited the victim over an extended period without ever meeting him in person, representing a growing global trend of AI-enabled romance fraud that has also targeted victims in France and the United Kingdom.
nbcnews.com
Over 7,000 people from around the world were detained in Myanmar border towns following a coordinated crackdown on online scam centers by Thailand, Myanmar, and China. These individuals had been lured under false pretenses to work in scam operations that defrauded people globally through romance schemes, fake investments, and illegal gambling, with many trapped in conditions amounting to virtual slavery. Thailand, Myanmar, and China are coordinating repatriation efforts, though the unprecedented scale is straining resources and creating logistical challenges including identity verification delays, with humanitarian concerns growing about potential overflow if processing cannot keep pace.
yahoo.com
A woman in Arkansas has been charged with theft and fraud in connection with romance scams that allegedly resulted in at least one death. The charges stem from her involvement in scamming victims through romantic deception schemes, though specific dollar amounts and additional victim details are not provided in the headline excerpt.
tribune.com.pk
A Chinese man identified as Liu lost approximately £22,000 (200,000 yuan) to an AI-generated romance scam involving a fictional woman named Ms Jiao, who sent him personalized messages, photos, and videos created with generative AI technology. The scammers manipulated Liu by claiming his "girlfriend" needed money for medical bills and business expenses, even fabricating medical reports to increase believability. This incident reflects a growing global trend of AI-enabled romance scams, with similar cases reported in France, the UK, and the US involving victims deceived by AI-generated personas posing as celebrities or military personnel.
theblock.co
A 73-year-old Montana man, Randall V. Rule, was found guilty of cryptocurrency money laundering conspiracy tied to romance scams, fake real estate schemes, and business email compromises. Rule and his co-conspirators laundered over $2.4 million by converting scam proceeds into cryptocurrency and sending it to domestic and foreign associates while misrepresenting transactions to financial institutions. Romance scams, also known as "pig butchering," involve fraudsters faking romantic interest to exploit victims' trust for financial gain.
fincen.gov
FinCEN is alerting financial institutions to monitor for relationship investment scams as part of the multiagency #DatingOrDefrauding campaign, noting that romance and confidence scams resulted in over $650 million in losses reported to the FBI in 2023. The agency highlights that scammers use dating apps, social media, and text messages to build fake relationships and deceive victims into cryptocurrency and investment schemes, with particular vulnerability among older adults. FinCEN provides guidance on identifying "pig butchering" scams and other romance fraud patterns so financial institutions can file Suspicious Activity Reports to aid law enforcement investigations.
bankingjournal.aba.com
FinCEN issued a statement urging financial institutions to monitor for suspicious activity related to relationship investment scams, coordinating with the CFTC's #DatingOrDefrauding awareness campaign. The advisory highlights that Suspicious Activity Reports and Bank Secrecy Act compliance are essential tools for law enforcement to detect and prosecute relationship scams, including those targeting elderly individuals and involving check fraud.
amlintelligence.com
FinCEN issued a formal warning to financial institutions to combat rising romance scam fraud, which caused losses exceeding $650 million in 2023 and frequently targets older adults. The alert highlights how scammers use dating apps, social media, and text messages to build false relationships, then exploit victims through investment schemes, virtual currency fraud, and by recruiting them as money mules for stolen funds. FinCEN urges institutions to file Suspicious Activity Reports using specific protocols to help law enforcement dismantle these organized crime operations.
news.va.gov
In 2024, romance scams affected 53% of men and 47% of women in online dating environments, with scammers creating fake personas to build trust with victims—often impersonating military personnel or celebrities—before requesting money or personal information. The FTC reported over 64,000 romance scams in 2023 alone, resulting in $1.14 billion in losses. Veterans are advised to verify identities of new online contacts, avoid sharing financial information, be cautious of unsolicited messages and monetary requests, trust their instincts, and report suspicious activity to the FTC or relevant authorities.
kbtx.com
Aurora Phelps is accused of orchestrating a romance scam targeting older men across the US and Mexico from July 2021 to December 2022, where she used online dating apps to gain their trust, then drugged them with prescription sedatives and robbed them of cars, bank accounts, credit cards, and millions in stocks. At least three victims died shortly after encounters with her, including one man she allegedly drugged and wheeled across the border to Mexico City where he was found dead hours later; another victim survived after being administered large sedative doses over a week. Phelps, currently incarcerated in Mexico awaiting extradition, faces multiple charges including wire fraud, bank fraud,
kgns.tv
Aurora Phelps, currently incarcerated in Mexico and awaiting extradition, has been indicted on multiple charges including wire fraud, bank fraud, and kidnapping resulting in death for allegedly targeting older men through online dating applications, drugging them with prescription sedatives, and stealing millions in cash, vehicles, and assets between July 2021 and December 2022. At least three of her victims died shortly after encounters with her, including one Nevada man she allegedly drugged and transported to Mexico City where he was found dead hours later, while another survivor emerged from a coma after she administered large doses of sedatives over a week. The FBI describes the scheme as "one of the most egregious and repreh
myarklamiss.com
Aurora Phelps, a 43-year-old Las Vegas woman, faces federal charges including wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping resulting in death for a scheme in which she met older men on dating websites, drugged them, and stole thousands of dollars from their financial accounts between 2021 and 2022. Three of her alleged victims died, and she has been charged in connection with one death; she also faces separate 2019 Arkansas charges for drugging a woman and fraudulently using her credit card for over $5,000 in purchases. The FBI is seeking additional victims and notes Phelps used multiple aliases and operated across Arkansas, Nevada, an
ndtv.com
Aurora Phelps, a 43-year-old Las Vegas woman, used dating apps (Tinder, Hinge, Bumble) to lure multiple men to Mexico, where she drugged them with sedatives and prescription drugs, then stole their money, financial information, vehicles, and identities. Between 2021-2022, Phelps targeted at least four men, stealing approximately $3.3 million in Apple shares from one victim's E-Trade account, and is currently in custody in Mexico facing 21 charges including wire fraud, identity theft, kidnapping, and one man's death; she could face life in prison if convicted.
theguardian.com
Hundreds of human trafficking victims, including nationals from over a dozen countries, were rescued from illegal scam compounds operating along the Thai-Myanmar border in February, with survivors reporting systematic torture including electric shocks, beatings, and forced labor working 15+ hours daily without pay. The victims, many of whom were lured with false job promises, were trapped in operations estimated to generate $63.9 billion annually globally, with at least 120,000 people enslaved in Myanmar and 100,000 in Cambodia forced to conduct online scams including romance schemes, gambling fraud, and bogus investment operations. Thailand and China have recently intensified crackdowns on these transnational criminal networks, with Thailan
9news.com
Scam victims are petitioning Congress to change a 2017 tax law that requires them to pay taxes on funds lost to fraud, compounding their financial devastation. Debbie Fox lost $58,000 to a romance scam and faced an additional $7,000 tax bill on withdrawn retirement funds, exemplifying how the law eliminates fraud loss deductions that previously existed. Annual fraud losses have surged from $1.5 billion to $12.5 billion since the tax law change, and advocates argue the approximately $100 million cost to the government should not be recovered from crime victims.
bbc.com
In 2024, scammers stole over £2.2 million from Isle of Man residents, with investment scams accounting for £1.2 million, voice call cons for £391,674, and romance fraud for £45,000, according to the Cyber Security Centre report. The number of suspicious emails and cyber concerns reported increased 50% compared to 2023, though officials believe this represents only a fraction of actual scams as many go unreported. Additional fraud methods included phishing attacks, account compromises, and impersonation schemes using celebrity names.
westernmassnews.com
Aurora Phelps, currently incarcerated in Mexico awaiting extradition, has been indicted on multiple charges for operating a deadly romance scam targeting older American men between July 2021 and December 2022. Phelps allegedly met victims through online dating apps, drugged them with prescription sedatives, and stole millions in cash, stocks, vehicles, and luxury goods; at least three victims died shortly after encounters with her, including one man she wheeled across the border to Mexico City where he was found dead hours later. She faces charges including wire fraud, bank fraud, kidnapping, and kidnapping resulting in death, with a potential life sentence if convicted.
justice.gov
Kenneth J. Brown and Nicholas R. Shepard, both 45-46 years old from Lexington, South Carolina, were sentenced to 16 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud. The men operated Golden Eagle Precious Metals Exchange and received checks from business email compromise and romance scam victims through the mail, then deposited the funds into their business account and converted them to cryptocurrency. They were ordered to pay $415,196.66 in restitution to victims and face three years of court-ordered supervision following their prison terms.
live5news.com
Aurora Phelps, currently incarcerated in Mexico awaiting extradition, has been indicted on multiple charges including wire fraud, bank fraud, and kidnapping resulting in death for operating a romance scheme targeting older U.S. men between July 2021 and December 2022. Phelps allegedly lured victims through online dating apps, drugged them with prescription sedatives, and stole millions in cash, stocks, vehicles, and valuables; at least three victims died, including one she wheeled across the border in an incapacitated state who was later found dead in a Mexico City hotel. The FBI describes this as one of the most egregious romance schemes in recent history and suspects there
knoxtntoday.com
Romance scams are increasing in prevalence and exploit victims' emotional trust to extract money and personal information. The article advises never sending money or sharing personal details with individuals met only online, and recommends learning strategies to identify and avoid romantic deception.
whdh.com
Aurora Phelps, 43, used online dating apps (Tinder, Hinge, Bumble) to meet at least four older men in 2021-2022, then drugged them with prescription sedatives and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars through a sophisticated romance scam; three victims died, including one she allegedly transported across the U.S.-Mexico border and left in a Mexico City hotel. Phelps, currently in custody in Mexico, faces 21 charges including wire fraud, identity theft, and one count of kidnapping resulting in death, with a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted on all charges.