You begin using an online dating platform or social media channel to connect with a possible companion.
You develop a rapport with someone online and your relationship begins to deepen.
Your romantic interest asks you to pay for a medical emergency, legal fees or travel expenses.
You pay the requested amount via wire transfer for gift card. Once the money is received, the person discontinues contact.
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Sources:
“Among older adults, hardest hit were the 60-69 and 70-79 age groups, which reported $129 million of the 2020 reported losses, making romance scams the category of highest reported losses for both groups.” Source: Protecting Older Consumers 2020–2021, A Report of the Federal Trade Commission, 34, October 18, 2021. https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/reports/protecting-older-consumers-2020-2021-report-federal-trade-commission/protecting-older consumers-report-508.pdf
https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/romance-scams
https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/reports/protecting-older-consumers-2020-2021-report-federal-trade-commission/protecting-older-consumers-report-508.pdf
https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/17057-online-romance-scams-a-bbb-study-on-how-scammers-use-impersonation-blackmail-and-trickery-to-steal-fromunsuspecting-daters?utm_term=romance%20scams&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=Romance%20Scam&hsa_cam=1059441484&hsa_
ver=3&hsa_src=g&hsa_acc=1954580365&hsa_ad=251173099865&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_tgt=kwd-351854428&hsa_grp=52185115095&hsa_mt=b&hsa_kw=romance%
20scams&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrpn3kPDH8wIVGeR3Ch2JIQDBEAAYAyAAEgITtfD_BwE
https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2019/romance.html?CMP=KNC-DSO-FRAUD-Ongoing-RomanceScams-3075-GOOG-ONGOING-RomanceScams-Exact-
NonBrand&ds_rl=1295568&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrpn3kPDH8wIVGeR3Ch2JIQDBEAAYAiAAEgLAQfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
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