- The FBI warns of a sharp increase in sophisticated romance scams targeting individuals online, especially around Valentine's Day, with fraudsters using dating apps, social media and AI to manipulate victims into losing life savings.
- Reported losses from romance scams hit $1.12 billion in 2023, with a median loss of $2,000 per victim, making it the most damaging form of imposter fraud tracked by the FTC. Victims are often women over 40, widowed, divorced or disabled.
- Scammers create fake profiles (often posing as overseas professionals), rapidly build trust, then fabricate emergencies to extract money. The "pig butchering" scam involves grooming victims for fake cryptocurrency investments—one man lost $1.5 million.
- Fraudsters now use AI-generated photos, deepfake videos and chatbots to craft believable personas, bypassing language barriers and making scams harder to detect. Some victims unwittingly become involved in criminal activity (e.g., money laundering).
- The FBI provides tips to protect ourselves, such as reverse-image-searching profile pictures, being wary of quick declarations of love, never sending money to someone you haven't met, avoiding sharing sensitive personal/financial details and reporting scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
As Valentine's Day approaches, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning Americans about a sharp rise in sophisticated romance scams targeting individuals searching for love online. Fraudsters are increasingly leveraging dating apps, social media and even artificial intelligence (AI) to manipulate victims into handing over money—sometimes wiping out entire life savings.
According to FBI field offices nationwide, reported losses from romance scams reached $1.12 billion in 2023, with median losses per victim at $2,000, making it the most financially damaging form of imposter fraud tracked by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Victims—often women over 40, widowed, divorced or disabled—are lured into false relationships before being pressured into sending funds for fabricated emergencies, fake investments or fraudulent legal fees.
How the scams work
BrightU.AI's Enoch explains that romance scams are deceptive schemes where fraudsters create fake dating profiles on dating platforms or social media to manipulate lonely individuals into fake romantic relationships, then exploit them for money or gifts under false pretenses.
Romance scammers typically pose as attractive, successful professionals—often claiming to work in construction, oil rigs or the military overseas. After rapidly building trust, they fabricate crises requiring urgent financial help.
One notorious tactic, known as "pig butchering," involves scammers grooming victims over weeks or months before convincing them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. In one case, a New Hampshire man lost $1.5 million after being persuaded by an online love interest to invest in a fake crypto trading platform.
"Fraudsters are lurking online claiming to be looking for love when they're really just looking to loot your bank account," warned Ted E. Docks, special agent in charge of the FBI Boston Division.
AI adds a dangerous new twist
Authorities report that scammers are now using AI-generated photos, deepfake videos and chatbots to craft more convincing fake personas. These tools help criminals bypass language barriers and create seemingly authentic profiles—making it harder for victims to detect deception.
Glenda, an 81-year-old victim featured in an FBI YouTube video, fell for a scammer posing as a Nigerian businessman. After being manipulated into laundering money for him, she was arrested and later pleaded guilty to federal felonies—a stark reminder that victims can unwittingly become entangled in criminal activity.
How to protect yourself
The FBI advises:
- Reverse-image search profile pictures to check for duplicates.
- Be skeptical of rapid declarations of love or marriage proposals.
- Never send money to someone you haven't met in person.
- Avoid sharing personal details like bank info or Social Security numbers.
"The best weapon against these scammers is a healthy dose of skepticism," Docks emphasized.
Romance scams are not new—confidence fraud dates back centuries—but the internet has supercharged their reach. With Valentine's Day heightening emotional vulnerability, experts urge caution.
"People have to deal not just with losing thousands of pounds; they also have to cope with the psychological trauma of being both robbed and jilted by a 'lover,'" said Monica Whitty, a researcher at the University of Leicester.
Victims are encouraged to report scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). As fraudsters refine their tactics, vigilance remains the best defense against heartbreak—both emotional and financial.
Watch the video below that talks about romance baiting scams.
This video is from the Secret Harbour Sessions channel on Brighteon.com.
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