A confidence trick where a criminal creates a fake identity and develops a romantic relationship with a victim online, then manipulates them into sending money through fabricated emergencies, investment opportunities, or travel costs.
A confidence trick where a criminal creates a fake identity and develops a romantic relationship with a victim online, then manipulates them into sending money through fabricated emergencies, investment opportunities, or travel costs.
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Romance scams are among the most emotionally and financially devastating types of fraud. In 2023, reported losses to romance scams in the US exceeded $1.14 billion. The true figure is likely much higher, as many victims are too embarrassed to report.
These scams can last weeks, months, or even years. The scammer invests significant time building a genuine-feeling relationship, creating emotional dependency before introducing a financial element. Victims often continue sending money even when friends and family warn them.
The rise of AI has made romance scams more dangerous. Scammers use AI-generated profile photos that can't be found in reverse image searches, chatbots to maintain conversations with multiple victims simultaneously, and deepfake video to "prove" their identity during video calls.
A 66-year-old retired nurse lost $1.6 million over two years to a romance scammer who claimed to be a US Army engineer deployed in Syria. She sold her house, emptied retirement accounts, and took out loans. The "relationship" consisted entirely of text messages — they never had a video call.