Romance Scams have created more than $105 BILLION dollars in losses for the year ending 2024. Almost every victim of a romance scam would have sworn that it would not happen to them. Most people think they will know if they are being taken in by someone they have never met. What few of us realize is that the predators are out there in numbers we cannot even imagine, and they are very good at making you feel special.

Romance Scams have soared because of a technological transformation that has occurred over the past three to four years. We all have heard about artificial intelligence, and it will certainly make people vulnerable online to all types of online exploitation. By using AI, cybercriminals can create images and alter voices to look like anyone to seduce you into believing they care about you. Then the blackmail begins.

Romance Scams are literally exploding in volume around the globe. It is because developing countries are now online and they have access to artificial intelligence and global money transfer. The sad reality is that the person most likely purporting to be your new love is a victim of trafficking themselves. If you are interested, you may want to go to You Tube and search for “Scam Farms”. Criminal groups in developing countries are using tens of thousands of people who have been duped by cybercriminals and are now surviving by delivering romance scams, crypto currency scams and financial sextortion scams.

If you believe that you are a victim of a romance scam, immediately take the following steps:

1. Stop all communications, shut down your device, change your privacy setting to private. Do not accept any new friends or communications as these individuals have multiple personas they utilize.

2. Tell someone immediately. I know it is hard to admit to, but it will never get better without intervention. Tell a trusted friend, a pastor, a relative, or law enforcement.

3. You can report it anonymously at 1-888-373-7888.

4. Do NOT send more money to try to get back the money you lost. It won’t help.

5. Get Counseling from a professional you trust.

6. If you want to investigate this individual, you may want to hire a private investigator that you know or has good credentials. One investigator who specializes in online investigation is Lynda Bergh Herring, a member of the Million Kids team, at LJBInvestigations.com. You are not the first victim, and you won’t be the last.

Yes, you may be hurt, embarrassed, and afraid. By reporting them, you can stop others from becoming victims. You still have the power to change the situation.