As Valentine’s Day approaches, federal law enforcement agencies across the United States are issuing urgent warnings about a surge in romance scams that are becoming increasingly sophisticated and devastating. The numbers tell a grim story: Americans lost more than $672 million to romance and confidence fraud in 2024, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, and preliminary data from 2025 suggests the problem is accelerating.
The scale of the crisis is staggering. In Northern California alone, victims lost more than $40 million to romance scams in 2025, nearly doubling the $22 million reported in 2024, according to the FBI San Francisco Division. Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island reported over 700 victims who lost approximately $20 million. In San Diego, more than 250 victims reported losses exceeding $9.6 million.
“Romance scammers are master manipulators who exploit trust and emotion, and they are becoming more sophisticated by the day with the use of artificial intelligence,” FBI San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani told reporters.
A Global Epidemic Fueled by Technology
The problem extends far beyond American borders. In the United Kingdom, romance scam reports rose 20 percent in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, according to Barclays bank data. One in 10 UK adults has either been targeted by a romance scam or knows someone who has. Victims lost an average of £8,000 in 2024, with that figure rising sharply to £19,000 among those aged 61 and older.
Canadian victims lose around $25 million to romance scams annually, with Canadians losing $54.6 million between January and September 2025 alone, according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. In New York State, residents reported over $42 million in losses in just the first three quarters of 2025.
Research compiled by private investigators indicates that romance scam victims lost over $1.3 billion in 2024, a dramatic increase from $547 million in 2021. However, these figures likely represent only a fraction of the true damage, as experts estimate that 80 to 90 percent of romance scam cases go unreported due to shame and embarrassment.
The United States accounts for 38 percent of new scam profiles detected globally, making it the primary target for these operations, according to fraud detection data. Moody’s identified 1,193 new entities and people globally with potential ties to romance scams in 2024, a six-year high and a 14 percent increase from 2023.
The AI Revolution in Romance Fraud
What separates today’s romance scams from their predecessors is the weaponization of artificial intelligence. Scammers now deploy generative AI and deepfake technology to create personas that are nearly impossible to distinguish from real people.
Professor Hany Farid, a world-renowned expert in digital forensics, recently reviewed a video message sent by a romance scammer. The 15-second clip showed a handsome man greeting the victim by name and discussing his morning in what seemed like an intimate message. Even Farid, an expert on deepfakes, initially struggled to determine whether it was authentic.
“If it was not easy for us, the experts on this topic, to verify whether the video was real or not, what chance does the average person have?” Farid wrote in his analysis for the Content Authenticity Initiative.
The investigation revealed the video was a sophisticated lip-sync deepfake, created by modifying footage of a Russian ship engineer who does not speak English. The original 15-second clip was altered to match a new voice and create the illusion of a personalized message.
Digital lifestyle expert Andy Baryer warns that AI has fundamentally changed the landscape. “With generative AI, this is where it gets really scary because they can look up your profile and start customizing the conversations based on your profile so it’s completely tailored,” Baryer said. “What’s so scary about it is because the majority of people are meeting online right now, especially around Valentine’s Day, people are vulnerable.”
Scammers can now use AI to generate realistic photos on demand, correct grammatical errors that once served as red flags, and maintain multiple convincing conversations simultaneously. McAfee’s 2025 study found that 61 percent of people surveyed believe it is possible to fall for an AI chatbot, while 51 percent reported being contacted by one posing as a real person.
Real-time deepfake technology has eliminated what many considered a foolproof verification method: the video call. KnowBe4’s CISO Advisor Roger Grimes explains that live face-swapping and AI voice synthesis can now be deployed during video conversations on common platforms, making it nearly impossible for victims to verify identity through visual means.
“Instead of stolen photos and basic scripts, scammers are using entire fake identities and automated conversation bots that build deep emotional trust over months,” Grimes said.
Even requesting specific photos no longer works as a verification method. Carrie Tomlinson, an undercover reporter who investigates cyber scammers, described a test where she asked a suspected scammer to send a selfie holding a piece of paper with her name and the date. “They did it. They used AI. They created it in seconds,” she said.
The Pig Butchering Phenomenon
A particularly devastating variant of romance scams has emerged, known in law enforcement circles as “pig butchering,” though Interpol recommends the term “romance baiting” to avoid stigmatizing victims. The phrase derives from the Chinese term “shā zhū pán,” which refers to fattening a pig before slaughter.
These scams blend emotional manipulation with investment fraud, typically involving cryptocurrency. After establishing trust through weeks or months of conversation, scammers introduce fake investment opportunities, often directing victims to fraudulent trading platforms that display fabricated profits.
The FBI describes the process: scammers convince victims to open cryptocurrency accounts, convert their money to digital assets, and deposit funds into what appear to be legitimate investment platforms. Victims may even be allowed to withdraw small amounts initially to build confidence, only to be told later that they must pay substantial fees, taxes, or meet minimum balances before accessing their supposed profits.
The financial devastation can be catastrophic. A Derry, New Hampshire man lost $1.5 million after a woman he met through an unsolicited text message persuaded him over several months to invest in a bogus cryptocurrency website. A man from South Hamilton, Massachusetts lost $1 million after beginning an online romance with someone who convinced him to move their communications to an encrypted app for “investments.”
The Secret Service estimates that pig butchering scams have become a “billion-dollar industry” victimizing millions of Americans. TRM Labs reports that these scams siphoned off well over $4.4 billion in 2024 alone.
The Federal Trade Commission reported that investment-related scam losses reached $12.5 billion in 2024, a figure that has tripled in just three years, with a significant portion attributed to romance-based cryptocurrency fraud.
The Dark Infrastructure Behind the Scams
These operations are not the work of lone criminals. Investigative reporting by Truthdig revealed a vast international fraud machine operating across dozens of countries, from “date-writing houses” in Georgia to “Facebook love factories” in Kenya, from “matrimonial hubs” in India to massive operations in Ukraine and the Philippines.
Most troubling is the role of human trafficking in this industry. According to research published by the Centre for Emerging Technology and Security, perpetrators of pig butchering scams are often themselves victims of fraud factories, where they are lured to travel internationally under false pretenses, trafficked to another location, and forced to commit fraud by organized crime gangs.
Scam centers operate with sophisticated infrastructure in Cambodia, Myanmar, and other Southeast Asian nations. In January 2026, Cambodian authorities made significant arrests following international pressure, leading to the release of thousands of workers from scam compounds. More than 2,750 Indonesian workers sought embassy support to return home in the days following these arrests, according to reports.
The industry’s global reach is facilitated by corporate registration in Cyprus, where lax oversight allows fraudulent dating platforms to operate with impunity. Sakuradate alone has claimed to have over 4 million members, and when combined with scores of mirror sites and rebrands, the total number of victims defrauded over the last decade likely totals in the millions.
The Devastating Psychological Toll
While the financial losses are staggering, experts emphasize that the psychological damage often exceeds the monetary harm. Romance scam victims experience what researchers call a “double hit”: the loss of both money and a relationship they believed was real.
Research published in the journal examining psychological impacts found that for most victims, the loss of the relationship was more upsetting than their financial losses. Many described the experience as similar to a death, with some characterizing it as traumatic. Nearly all victims were affected negatively, experiencing symptoms resembling major depressive disorder, grief, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
“Romance scam victims suffer from shame, embarrassment, shock, anger, anxiety, stress, fear, depression, or even suicidal ideation,” according to research published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry. The study found that victims may experience symptoms similar to PTSD, with intrusive mental imagery of their fake lovers persisting long after the scam is revealed.
The shame and stigma surrounding romance scams create additional barriers to recovery. Many victims do not disclose what happened to close friends or family members, choosing to suffer in silence rather than face potential judgment. This isolation exacerbates the psychological impact and can delay or prevent victims from seeking professional help.
FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Ted E. Docks emphasized that understanding the emotional component is crucial: “Fraudsters are lurking online claiming to be looking for love when they’re really just looking to loot your bank account. We’re urging everyone to take a beat. The best weapon against these scammers is a healthy dose of skepticism.”
The emotional grip can be so powerful that victims sometimes continue to send money even after being shown evidence that the relationship is fabricated. Roger Grimes described cases where he proved beyond doubt that the person was not who they claimed to be, yet the victim continued the relationship. “Once they are hooked, it’s a powerful drug. They don’t give up until the house is gone, the friendships are gone, and the money is exhausted,” he said. “One victim told me, ‘I know he’s fake, but he’s the only one telling me he loves me.'”
Who Are the Victims?
Contrary to common assumptions, romance scam victims are not predominantly elderly or naive. Research indicates that middle-aged people are disproportionately affected, likely because they have more disposable income and are active users of online dating sites. More educated individuals are also frequently victimized, possibly due to overconfidence in their ability to identify scams.
While anyone can become a target, certain groups face heightened vulnerability. Older adults, particularly widows and widowers, are often targeted due to potential isolation and accumulated financial resources. Research by Barclays found that while men are more likely to fall victim to romance scams in the UK, women lose 2.5 times as much money as men.
People undergoing significant life transitions, such as divorce or the loss of a loved one, are particularly susceptible. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the crisis, as lockdowns pushed millions online in search of connection, creating unprecedented opportunities for scammers.
Recognition and Response
Law enforcement agencies emphasize several critical warning signs that indicate a potential romance scam:
The person refuses to meet in person or repeatedly makes excuses when meetings are planned. They may claim to be working overseas, traveling frequently, or facing various emergencies that prevent face-to-face contact.
Requests for money, especially after a relatively short period of online communication, are major red flags. The requests often involve elaborate stories about medical emergencies, travel expenses, business investments, or legal problems. FBI Norfolk Special Agent in Charge Dominique Evans advises: “Romance scams are especially devastating because they exploit trust and emotion. Behind every report is a real person who believed they had found a genuine connection.”
Scammers frequently suggest moving conversations from dating apps or social media to encrypted messaging platforms like WhatsApp or Telegram. This isolation tactic makes it harder for friends and family to notice red flags and allows scammers to maintain more control over the communication.
The relationship progresses unusually quickly, with declarations of love within days or weeks. This “love bombing” technique is a deliberate manipulation strategy designed to bypass normal skepticism and create emotional dependency.
Pressure to invest in cryptocurrency or other opportunities, particularly if the person claims to have insider knowledge or shows fabricated evidence of their own investment success, is a clear indicator of the pig butchering variant.
What to Do If You’re a Victim
If you suspect you are involved in a romance scam, law enforcement officials urge immediate action:
Stop all communication with the suspected scammer and do not send any more money. If you have already transferred funds, immediately contact your financial institution to report the fraud and attempt to freeze or recover the money.
Report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. Include as much detail as possible: the scammer’s profile information, phone numbers, email addresses, social media handles, website addresses, screenshots of conversations, and complete transaction details including cryptocurrency wallet addresses.
Contact your local law enforcement agency or the FBI field office in your area. While many romance scams involve international criminals and recovery is difficult, reporting helps authorities track patterns and potentially prevent others from becoming victims.
Seek support from trusted friends, family members, or professional counselors. Organizations like FightCybercrime.org offer romance scam recovery groups where victims can connect with others who understand their experience and work toward healing.
Do not respond to follow-up scams. In a particularly cruel twist, some victims are contacted by people posing as law enforcement officers or attorneys who claim they can recover lost funds for a fee, subjecting vulnerable victims to a second round of financial losses.
The Path Forward
As Valentine’s Day approaches, the message from law enforcement is clear: vigilance and skepticism are essential in the digital age of romance. New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley emphasized the importance of awareness: “So called ‘romance scams’ exploit people’s emotions and trust, and no New Yorker should have to pay the price, emotionally or financially, for unscrupulous actors. As online interactions become more common, especially around Valentine’s Day, it’s critical that consumers know the warning signs.”
The financial sector is responding with new technology. Mastercard introduced Consumer Fraud Risk, an AI solution that analyzes recipient accounts for telltale traits of scammers, delivering fraud scores in real time and enabling banks to either reject suspicious payments or contact senders to share concerns.
Regulatory efforts are also intensifying. The UK implemented new Consumer Standards of Caution regulations requiring banks to provide timely warnings about potential fraud before transactions are processed. International cooperation through organizations like Interpol and coordinated sanctions by the U.S. Treasury Department and UK’s HM Treasury are targeting the criminal networks behind these operations.
Yet technology alone cannot solve the problem. Jonathan Frost, director of global advisory for EMEA at BioCatch, notes that while banks have controls in place, romance scams often don’t trigger traditional red flags because payments are made gradually and appear deliberate.
The human element remains crucial. Education about the tactics scammers use, awareness of the psychological manipulation techniques they employ, and destigmatization of victims are all essential to combating this growing threat.
As AI technology becomes more sophisticated, the challenge will only intensify. The gap between what experts can detect and what ordinary people can identify continues to widen. In this environment, healthy skepticism, verification through multiple channels, consultation with trusted friends and family, and the courage to acknowledge when something feels wrong may be the most important defenses we have.