romance scams

The U.S. is seeking to forfeit $25 million in cryptocurrency linked to romance and investment scams. The legal action targets illicit funds associated with fraudulent schemes.

US prosecutors are seeking over $25 million in cryptocurrency allegedly connected to international fraud and laundering networks. The funds are tied to romance and investment scams.

A 43-year-old U.S. woman, feeling lonely and defeated, sends thousands of dollars to Nigerian romance scammers despite knowing the interactions are fake, as she believes no real person would desire her. The Associated Press report highlights how victims often cling to scams due to social isolation and low self-worth.

Scams are a global issue causing millions of victims and billions in annual losses. The Federal Trade Commission reported $15.9 billion in U.S. fraud losses in 2025, primarily from investment and romance scams. The Associated Press and FRONTLINE collaborated on an interactive experience highlighting scam victims' stories and tactics used by fraudsters.

Jean Booth, a 43-year-old woman, lost $90,000 to an online romance scam involving a non-existent boyfriend named Donnie. The article highlights the rise of romance scams in the U.S., with over 49,000 victims reporting $1.3 billion in losses in 2022.

Jean Booth's experience with a romance scam highlights the rising prevalence of such frauds in the U.S., with over 49,000 victims reporting $1.3 billion in losses in 2023. The article links the surge to social isolation post-pandemic and notes psychological factors, such as humans' innate need for connection, which can lead individuals to seek relationships in vulnerable ways.

Jean Booth, a woman in a romance scam, sent money to a non-existent partner named Donnie despite knowing he was fake. The article highlights rising romance scams in the U.S., with over 49,000 victims reporting $1.3 billion in losses in 2022 according to FTC data.

Traditional methods like video calls to verify authenticity in romance scams are ineffective due to real-time deepfake filters and voice cloning technology. Scammers can now use stolen photos and audio clips to create convincing live video and voice interactions, breaking standard verification practices.

Scam survivors are finding emotional healing through peer support groups organized by FightCybercrime.org, a nonprofit offering counselor-led recovery programs. Participants share experiences of financial losses from romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, identity theft, and impostor schemes, emphasizing the psychological trauma and stigma they face.

Tennessee has become the second U.S. state to ban cryptocurrency ATMs due to concerns about scams. State officials cited overseas criminals using these ATMs for government impersonation, tech support fraud, romance scams, and pig butchering schemes.

Scammers exploit online games like Words With Friends to target grieving or vulnerable players, initiating friendly conversations that eventually shift to financial requests via gift cards. These romance scams, costing billions annually, often involve criminals hiding their identities and using email headers to mask their locations.