KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Con artists have profiles on most dating and social media sites and they’re reaping a profit, according to a new Internet Crime Report released this week by the FBI.
If he seems too good to be true, the FBI wants you to be aware that he could be a scam. They would know. Data from the past three years show a dramatic increase in the number of complaints from victims of romance scams in the United States.
Around 25,000 people reported losses to romance scams totaling $956 million in 2021 alone, according to the new data. That’s an average of about $38,000 per person. The amount carried away by thieves has almost doubled since 2019, data shows.
One of those unnamed victims came forward in March and spoke with WATE 6 Reporter Don Dare. A woman identified only as Vivian said she lost more than $83,000.
“He’s a handsome man, Yea, I always called him my sexy man,” said Vivian, who chose not to reveal her last name. Read her story.
Tennessee ranks 18th on the list of states for the number of victims, and 22nd when ranked by dollar amount lost.
Romance scams succeed because criminals adopt a fake online identity to manipulate a victim through the illusion of a romantic relationship. During the pandemic, people have been spending more time at home or away from friends and family.
“The criminals who carry out Romance scams are experts at what they do and will seem genuine, caring, and believable,” the…
