Romance is now a growing scam

The Federal Trade Commission of the US reported that in 2023, consumers lost $1.14 billion to romance scams.

- GRACE KAO

This is a substantial increase from $547 million in losses in 2021, and $304 million in 2020.

What exactly are romance scams and why are people susceptible to them? Scammers pose as someone who has fallen in love with the victim and is desperately trying to travel to the victim so they can meet. However, one tragedy after another ensues.

The scammers work in teams and are grooming multiple victims simultaneously. The carefully designed scripts come in a variety of genres.

An extremely interesting variant of this scam involves celebrities. Here, victims believe they are communicating with a celebrity and eventually develop a romantic relationship with them.

There are a number of YouTube channels that address this topic. For example, the YouTube channel @catfishedOnline investigates romance scams. Their findings are shared with the victim and often their families, and with the audience.

It's tempting to dismiss romance scam victims as gullible individuals who should have known better. However, the pervasiveness of romance scams suggests that criminals are addressing common issues of isolation and loneliness. Victims might be single or married in unsatisfying relationships. Their limited mobility or caregiving responsibilities at home might make it hard for them to meet others. Some may just be socially awkward and have had very few healthy romantic relationships.