February is the month of romance, but love and companionship may also involve a scam.
According to the FBI, romance or confidence scams were responsible for over 23,000 reported victims losing over $605 million in 2020, compared to 12,500 victims and $203 million in losses during 2015.
A romance scam is when a swindler uses a fake identity to gain a victim’s trust and affection. The introduction of the new romantic interest or friendship may occur online, via a dating app, social media, random text message, phone call, or email. Usually, the romantic interest never meets in person, though numerous plans for a gathering have been made and rescheduled with excuses. The fake identity could be that of a member of the military, someone wealthy overseas, an overseas construction worker, or one of many other fake personas.
These professionals quickly gain a victim’s trust and express many commonalities with their victim. As the relationship evolves the scammer will continue to reel their victim in with promises and gifts of love. After trust is established, the romantic interest develops a story about a sick child, being stranded in a foreign country, legal fees, being held against their will, or other urgent situations where large amounts of money are needed quickly.
The scammer may also ask for personal information to steal the victim’s identity or assets, or ask the victim to launder money by transferring or moving money illegally for…
