Romance scam

A user reported concerning signs after meeting a woman on Facebook Marketplace following a reselling transaction for shoes. These red flags include the account being new, her having two first names, and her profile picture linking back to a different name. The interaction progressed from the standard marketplace deal into personal flirting, raising concerns about a possible romance scam.

An 84-year-old woman, described as tech-savvy, was targeted by a romance scam involving an individual claiming to be an 'Admiral' stationed in Japan who contacted her on Instagram. The scam included red flags such as an implausible 13-year-old child narrative and instructions not to share the relationship. The victim had not sent money but sought resources to confirm the scam.

A sister used AI-generated images and fake social media profiles to scam a man through a dating site, extracting money under false pretenses such as medical bills and travel expenses. The victim, who has evidence including audio recordings and bank statements, reported her to police in two countries. The sister has denied the accusations and is now allegedly attempting to scam her own family.

A 70-year-old woman in a small work team is suspected of being romance scammed via Facebook, claiming to date Kevin Costner. She exhibits red flags like secrecy and excuses for not meeting in person, but has asked others not to intervene. Her son works in a different department, complicating efforts to alert him.

A daughter expresses concern that her mother is involved in a potential romance scam with a military boyfriend from overseas, citing suspicious financial activities, exclusive communication via Snapchat, and a recent Bitcoin transaction. The mother's bank account was closed due to suspicious activity, and the daughter fears legal or financial consequences.

Hong Kong police reported that an insurance agent lost over $3.3 million in a romance scam involving a fake cryptocurrency investment scheme. The scam operated through a fraudulent crypto app that lured victims into investing.

A user received a WhatsApp message from a Hong Kong number about a car for sale in Mexico. The sender, claiming to work in New York and move to Mexico soon, asked legitimate questions about the car and Mexican taxes but recently sent suspicious messages implying a possible romance scam.

A 45-year-old Nigerian national in Frisco, Texas, Okeoghene Patrick Udugba, has been indicted by a U.S. federal grand jury for involvement in romance and business email compromise schemes. The case involves allegations of orchestrating a $300,000 scam.

A mother-in-law is convinced she is in a relationship with a person pretending to be a BTS member, despite family warnings that it is a scam. She has opened new bank accounts and purchased gift cards, raising concerns about potential financial loss.

A user met a girl online six days ago and conducted video calls to verify her authenticity. She has been love bombing him with declarations of love and marriage plans, which he views as a red flag. Despite suspecting a romance scam, she has not asked for money yet, though she recently delayed communication citing a foot injury.

A user discovered their father was engaged in a potential romance scam via Telegram with a person named 'Kate' from the UK. The user blocked the contact, identified the scammer's Nigerian phone number, and used OSINT tools to link it to a Facebook profile, but is unsure if they can report the scam since no funds were lost yet.

A client lost her life savings to a romance scammer and later received a tax bill. Congress is considering responses to AI-enabled fraud and the tax code's differential treatment of victims based on manipulation through wealth or love.

A person's mother fell victim to a Zangi romance scam five years ago after being targeted by a man who claimed to need $10,000 to leave an oil rig. Despite warnings from family members, including the submitter, sister, and father, the mother continued sending money and still communicates with the scammer today.

Jean Booth met a widowed man named Donnie online. The two began dating, and she sent the scammer approximately $90,000 through their virtual relationship.

Jean Booth, a woman, was involved in a romance scam where she was in love with someone she knew was not real. The article begins with her actions at a Thai restaurant in August.

Interpol uncovered a $122.5 million crypto wallet linked to a romance scam during a global anti-fraud operation that resulted in 5,811 arrests. The wallet processed the funds over 10 months.

A Canadian individual is seeking legal advice regarding an MLM insurance agent (Landlord) accused of using a short-term romantic relationship to recruit others through deception, financial exploitation, and fraudulent practices. The person is inquiring about evidence types (e.g., text messages, call logs) that could be used if the accused denies the relationship.

An individual in Canada is seeking legal advice regarding an MLM insurance agent (Landlord) who allegedly used a short-term romantic relationship to recruit someone into the business. The person also reports attempts at insurance fraud and financial exploitation, and is inquiring about evidence (e.g., text messages, call logs) that would be considered if the accused denies the relationship.

Maria fell victim to an AI deepfake romance scam where she believed she was interacting with a Dubai prince through live video calls. Scammers posing as the real-life crown prince of Dubai use AI-generated personas to build relationships before stealing money, with some operations linked to international crime syndicates.

A 59-year-old man abruptly left his wife of 32 years after meeting a woman in a mobile game, traveling to South America without prior signs of conflict. His daughter, aged 24, expresses concern it may be a romance scam, as he has cut off communication and turned off his location tracking.

A 25-year-old woman met a Dominican man on Hinge, but raised concerns about his suspicious behavior, including claiming ignorance of her U.S. origin despite no location changes. She has been in daily contact with him for months, and despite red flags, she plans to visit him alone in the Dominican Republic in August. Her family fears she may be a victim of a romance scam or dangerous situation.

A sister is being romance scammed by someone posing as a famous music artist, despite family and police efforts to prove the scammer's identity is fake. The scammer uses convincing methods like phone calls, texts, and video chats, and the victim has already sent money for 'concert tickets and backstage passes'. She is vulnerable due to being disabled, isolated, and going through a divorce.

A mid-70s grandmother is being romance scammed by someone she met on TikTok after her husband's death, leading her to sell belongings and become financially unstable. The family is struggling to intervene as she refuses to acknowledge the scam, and her utilities were nearly shut off, causing family conflict.

A Nigerian man, Mr. Nwadialo, was sentenced to five years in a US prison for a romance scam that defrauded victims of $3.5 million. He was convicted on 14 counts of wire fraud targeting elderly, widowed, or divorced individuals.

A US court has jailed a Nigerian official for his involvement in a $3.3 million romance scam. The Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested the 42-year-old politician at a Texas airport on 2 November 2024.

A Washington court sentenced Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo to 5 years in prison for orchestrating a $3.5 million romance scam by creating false identities and stories on online dating platforms.

A 73-year-old man, who adopted a cat from a fosterer, is being exploited in an international romance scam for over a decade. The fosterer, not a relative, has contacted AARP and plans to involve Adult Protective Services (APS) and law enforcement to prevent him from sending money that would leave him without basic necessities.

A 78-year-old woman has been victim to a multi-year romance scam, losing over $500,000 through wire transfers, cash, and cryptocurrency to scammers posing as 'boyfriends.' The scammers use AI-generated videos and avoid direct communication, while she continues sending money despite financial hardship and bank account closures.

A Federal High Court witness testified that an accused in a $41,000 romance scam case allegedly claimed the EFCC could not arrest him. The case involves a foreign victim and is being heard in a Nigerian court.

Federal authorities arrested individuals in Africa involved in a romance scam that defrauded elderly victims of $15 million. The perpetrators publicly showcased stolen luxury items, including jewelry, cars, and a Ghanian mansion, in images that highlighted their wealth amid surrounding poverty.

A romance scammer posing as a WWE superstar made a small fortune, as detailed in an excerpt from the WIRED Book Club pick 'The Yahoo Boys' by journalist Carlos Barragán. The article traces the scammer's journey from failure to financial success through deception.

An elderly California couple was found dead in an apparent murder-suicide after the wife became a victim of an online romance scam involving someone posing as actor Tom Selleck. The incident highlights the vulnerability of seniors to sophisticated fraud schemes that can have tragic consequences.