Likely confidenceEvergreen
Romance Fraud Losses Remain High
Long-running romance deceptions continue to produce among the highest average losses per victim.
Published 10 February 2025
- Threat category
- Romance Fraud
- Location
- Global
- Affected population
- Users of dating and social platforms
What we are seeing
Romance fraud often runs for months before any money is requested. Average reported losses are high because the relationship builds a strong reason to help.
Why it matters
Because the request comes from someone the victim believes they know, ordinary scepticism is muted. The harm is financial and emotional.
Defensive takeaway
- Never send money to someone you have not met in person.
- Reverse-search profile photos early.
- Tell a trusted person about any money request.
- Treat an introduction to an investment as a serious warning sign.
Unverified social-media claims are never presented as fact. Confidence labels reflect how well a claim is corroborated, not how alarming it sounds.
Source
Verified factGOVERNMENT
Consumer advice on recognising and reporting scams
United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) · 15 May 2024
View source