We help victims of romance scams recover their money, come to terms with being broken, and seek justice.
Romance scams not only break hearts and destroy bank balances, they can escalate into devastating situations that ruin lives. Some have been cleaned out of their life savings, leaving them vulnerable in old age or finding themselves drawn into a life of organized crime, drug trafficking or, sadly, even worse.
In 2022, FTC received $1.3 billion in online romance scams, an increase of nearly 80% from the previous year. In total, more than 25,000 reports were filed with the FTC. Unfortunately, these numbers are just the tip of the iceberg. Many victims are too embarrassed to report the crime to the authorities. Some victims find it too embarrassing to let others consider it an unpleasant experience. Many victims believe the scammers are untouchable because of the distance between perpetrators because they operate overseas, such as in Nigeria, Ghana or Russia.
The sad truth is that we receive complaints about romance scams every day. Many scammers are extremely convincing, and we know that they can make anyone fall for their tricks. If you have been scammed, it is not your fault. More than anything, it shows strength and compassion, qualities that romance scammers prey on. We understand that you may be embarrassed by the situation, so we will always handle your case in the strictest confidentiality and respect your boundaries during our investigation and recovery attempts.
If you want to report a romance scam in your online relationship or are hoping to catch a scam before it's too deeply rooted, our consultants are available to help you.
Romance scams are one of many types of online scams used to trick people into handing over money or personal information that can then lead to identity theft. Romance scams are perpetrated by large organized crime networks and lone opportunists.
Once trust is built and a loving relationship is in place, personal emergencies arise. The scam artist may claim to need money for a medical emergency, a legal problem, or to buy a plane ticket to visit you. How much money is needed depends on the person being scammed and what they can likely agree to. Common excuses include a family member needing medical attention, damage to property, or money to recover investment losses. The next time, the situation is bigger as victims are drawn deeper into their digital partners.
Ordering beautiful brides online usually requires an advance payment, and brides usually come from Russia, Ukraine and other parts of Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Asia and other services to women elsewhere. The problem is that no woman or man married to a relationship. You may be directed to send cash funds, wire, or the scam artist may ask for money to pay for travel costs when they probably are scammers watching dating sites or social networks.
Anyone can be the target of a romance scam. The offenders often appear to be desperate to find a partner through digital manipulation and using extensive technology to disguise their true identity. Romance scammers use whatever means necessary to exploit the human desire for affection, friendship, and connection. In the early stages of a romance scam, it can be difficult to tell if the relationship is real or a scam.