The world’s leading cybercrime organizations are focusing on romance scams, where victims are seduced by the prospect of romance before being robbed of their personal data and money.
According to the FBI, Americans lost more than $16 billion in 2024 to romance scams and other cybercrimes. One in seven American adults reported losing money to romance scammers, who often use a fake online identity to form relationships with their victims.
“These scams are based on trust, affection and urgency, which are heightened during relationship holidays,” said Cliff Steinhauer, director of information security and engagement at the National Cybersecurity Alliance. Although the Federal Trade Commission has previously released data warning that romance scams target all demographic groups, FBI Senior Resident Michael Rhode, who leads the Elder Justice Task Force that focuses on the scams, said older Americans are often the most targeted by these schemes.
