Romance fraud is the highest-loss scam category for Americans over 60. The pattern is consistent and recognizable once you know what to look for.
Romance scams are the highest-grossing fraud category in the United States by total consumer loss, according to the FTC. In 2024, Americans reported losing over $1.3 billion to romance fraud — and that figure reflects only the cases that were actually reported.
The approach usually comes through a dating app, but increasingly also through LinkedIn, Instagram, or even a "wrong number" text that turns into a conversation. The person is attractive in their profile photos, has an interesting and romantic-sounding backstory (often military, oil rig worker, international doctor, or engineer working abroad), and is immediately and intensely interested in you.
The early phase feels like genuine connection because it is designed to. The scammer is following a structured playbook, but they adapt it in real time to what you respond to. They work to understand your values, your loneliness, your financial situation, and your dreams.
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