Worldwide, nearly 1 in 4 people say they’ve been scammed online. One of the fastest-growing and most devastating types of online schemes is the romance scam, where fraudsters pretend to fall in love, then ask for money.
It’s now the third most common scam targeting adults 60 and older.
Person after person after person has fallen for a fake romance scam.
From deep fakes to a fake Keanu Reeves declaring his love for them. Online scammers are increasingly using AI to create phony accounts to target you!
It’s a common type of romance scam. The scammer pretends they want a relationship, but they really want money, gifts, or personal information.
In 2023 alone, Americans lost more than $1 billion to romance scams, with adults over 60 hit hardest. The average amount lost is $83,000 per victim!
So how can you spot the red flags?
Romance scammers don’t rush. They move slowly — sometimes over months — building trust and emotional dependence.
Be careful if the person:
- Tries to isolate you from family and friends
- Is in constant contact
- Lives far away and can never meet in person
- Offers you investment opportunities
- Asks for money for an emergency, such as a medical or legal crisis
Experts say the best defense is slowing down.
Don’t overshare. Keep your accounts private. And always talk to a trusted friend or family member about new online relationships.
A quick reverse image search can also reveal if a profile photo is being used under a different name.
If you think you’ve been scammed, first notify the dating or social media site that you met through.
Report the scammer to local law enforcement and inform federal agents, like the Federal Trade Commission and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.