SHREVEPORT, La. ( KTAL/KMSS ) – The popularity of docuseries like Netflix’s The Tinder Swindler has brought to light a crime that affects tens of thousands of victims nationwide – romance scams. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, federal investigators are advising the public of the warning signs of these financial crimes of the heart.
According to data from the Federal Trade Commission, romance scammers tell all sorts of lies to steal your heart and money, and reports to the FTC show those lies are working. In 2022, nearly 70,000 people reported a romance scam and reported losses hit a staggering $1.3 billion. The median reported loss was $4,400.
“Valentine’s Day provides a timely reminder for the public to not fall prey to criminals using love to scam their way into their victims’ hearts for monetary gain,” said Demetrius Hardeman, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Atlanta Field Office. “To avoid becoming a victim, people need to be aware of the telltale signs that they are being manipulated.”