Those looking for love are being scammed for millions of dollars.
Behind California, Florida ranks second for romance scam losses costing victims over $116 million lost.
New Data from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center and the Florida Attorney General’s (AG) Office says romance scams in Florida are a type of fraud that involve creating fake identities online to gain victims’ trust and steal money and personal information. These scams can have devastating financial and emotional consequences.
Examples of romance scams include stolen photos and fake personal details on dating sites and/or social media. Fraudsters pose as different people to gain a victim’s trust and proceed to propose marriage and “make plans” to meet in person.
The Florida Attorney General’s office says there are several ways to avoid being a victim of the scams.
• Be wary of people who seem too perfect or ask to communicate offline quickly.
• Don’t send money to people you don’t know in person.
• Don’t help people move money through your account.
• Research the person’s profile and photos to see if they appear elsewhere.
• Be wary of people who try to isolate you from friends and family and be on the lookout of people who request inappropriate photos or financial information
“Romance scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, preying on individuals’ emotional vulnerabilities and exploiting the trust built through online interactions,” said Investment fraud attorney Robert Rikard, from Investor Loss Center. “As scammers adapt to new technologies and platforms, it’s crucial for people to verify identities, and recognize the red flags of financial requests or inconsistent stories. Education and awareness are our first line of defense against these damaging schemes, which not only cause financial losses but also emotional harm.”
The Florida AG reminds consumers if believe they have been a victim or a potential victim of a romance scam, file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General’s Office at MyFloridaLegal.com or report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
