Guard Your Heart and Your Wallet: Recognizing Romance Scams

Romance scams are rising across the country, and Alabama is no exception. These crimes don’t only target those seeking love online—many victims are simply looking for friendship, conversation, or companionship. Scammers exploit emotions, trust, and technology to steal millions every year. Understanding how these schemes work—and knowing the red flags—can protect you and the people you care about.

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Why Romance Scams Are Growing

Romance scams have become increasingly sophisticated, driven largely by social media, dating apps, and the widespread use of artificial intelligence (AI). Scammers create fake identities, build emotional connections, and then manipulate victims into sending money or sharing sensitive information. According to AARP research, nearly 1 in 10 adults age 50 and older has interacted with someone online who eventually asked for money or encouraged cryptocurrency investments. Adults ages 50 to 64 are especially at risk, receiving fake solicitations at more than double the rate of those 65+.

Federal agencies echo this warning. The FBI says scammers often claim to be working overseas or dealing with an emergency, which allows them to avoid meeting in person—and makes their sudden requests for money appear more believable. Romance scam losses are significant nationwide: in 2025, more than 700 New England victims lost $20 million, and in Northeast Florida, over 550 victims lost $22.2 million.

How Scammers Build Trust

Scammers don’t rush. Instead, they slowly build a connection over weeks or months:

• They compliment you quickly, emphasize emotional similarities, or share fabricated personal hardships.
• They may ask to move conversations off dating sites and on to private or encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp.
• Many use AI‑generated photos or messages to appear more “perfect,” polished, or convincing.

Once the relationship feels secure, the scammer introduces a crisis—a medical emergency, travel problem, frozen bank account, legal expense, or “can’t‑miss” investment opportunity. These stories are designed to trigger urgency and bypass your usual caution.

Common Red Flags

Here are some of the clearest warning signs identified by AARP, the FBI, and the Alabama Securities Commission:

• Quick professions of love or intense feelings.
• Avoidance of video chats or in‑person meetings. Scammers often claim to be overseas or traveling for work.
• Requests for money, especially through wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
• Pressure to keep the relationship secret or isolate you from family and friends.
• Profiles that look too perfect or photos that appear heavily edited or AI‑generated.
• Efforts to steer the conversation to investments, including crypto or precious metals.

If someone you’ve never met in person asks for financial help—even once—it’s a scam.