Senior Romance Scams: How to Spot and Stop Them Before They Steal Your Savings

Nobody wants to live out the latter years of their lives alone. Whether it stems from losing a spouse or fear of aging alone, many seniors turn to online dating. The internet provides an avenue to find a potential partner, and scammers use this to their advantage. Each year, millions of elderly people are targeted by different cybercrimes, including online blackmail, financial fraud, and romance scams.

As such, those in this age range must take precautions when using the internet. The rapid development of technology can feel overwhelming, but there are steps you can take to be safer online and protect yourself from senior scams. Keep reading to learn how these scams unfold and what you can do to protect yourself or your loved ones.

The Top Four Cyber Scams Targeting Seniors

There are numerous scams that are employed to try to extract money from unwitting elderly victims. However, there are four main scams targeting seniors that you should be on the lookout for, those being sextortion, romance scams, investment fraud, and tech support impersonation scams. While other tactics exist, these categories make up the vast majority of reported senior scams.

• Tech support impersonation. This classic scam involves a cybercriminal impersonating a member of the tech support team for a reputable company to extract payment or personal information that grants them access to the victim’s finances. One notable example is the Geek Squad scam, where scammers pose as representatives from well-known companies like Best Buy’s Geek Squad.
• Investment scams. This scam has become a major issue, with celebrity investment scams contributing significantly to the rise. Investment scams led to $1.2 billion in losses among individuals aged 60 and older in 2023, making it the most dangerous form of cybercrime for senior citizens, according to the FBI’s Annual Cyber Crime Report.
• Sextortion. A sextortion scam is a cybercrime in which an individual’s intimate photos are used as a means of extortion. It has been on the rise across all age groups, but senior sextortion scams can be more prevalent because elderly internet can be less technologically savvy. In particular, elderly men seem to be a prime target for online sextortion as Digital Forensics Corp. has seen a rising number of reported cases from this demographic.
• Romance scams. Much like sextortion, romance scams prey on a victim’s desire to build a romantic relationship. Rather than utilizing explicit photos to hold the victim ransom, these scams ask the victim for money for purposes such as medical expenses or to build a future home. As single seniors feel an imminent need to find a partner, they are a prime target. Specifically, there has been an influx of romance scams targeting older women.

The Rise of International Romance Scams Targeting Seniors

In 2023, those aged 60 and over in the United States alone lost more than $3.4 billion to online investment fraud, a figure that has more than tripled since 2020. These numbers continue to rise each year and disproportionately target elderly individuals, and many of these cases incorporate elements of romance scams.

Scams targeting seniors are on the rise as more and more senior citizens rely on the internet and dating apps to communicate and look for love. Anonymity in the digital world provides the perfect cover for scammers to target these older adults without fear of criminal repercussions. While scammers can run their dating catfishing schemes from anywhere, most of these online dating scams originate from three countries.

1. Nigerian Romance Scammers. Everything about Nigerian scams begins with the “Yahoo Boys,” a term used to describe scammers who operate in Nigeria. These scammers are particularly good at creating fake online personas to lure seniors into relationships. They have even been known to post how-to guides on social media.
2. Romance Scams Originating from the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic has also become a hotbed of senior romance scams that typically follow a predictable pattern. Scammers create relationships with their targets, even going so far as to promise marriage to their targets. They then create a string of situations such as health crises or legal troubles in which they “need” financial support.
3. Filipino Romance Scams Targeting Senior Men. Unlike Nigerian and Dominican Romance Scams, most others originate from the Philippines and target older men from Western countries. Specifically, these scams often target men in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.

The success of senior romance scams relies heavily on the emotional vulnerabilities of targets, especially those in desperate situations. Seniors may be especially motivated by the desire to find love. Scammers exploit this vulnerability by weaving emotional tales of romance, often leading to perceived marriages.

Common Senior Romance Scams Tactics

As we’ve covered, senior romance scams typically originate from organized crime groups in specific regions. As such, they often follow similar scripts and employ common tactics. Knowing this, our experts have deduced consistent red flags you can look out for.

• Unsolicited Contact. Be wary of any random messages from unknown users looking for the exact same person as you. Romance scammers often scout their targets to appeal to their interests and lower their guard.
• “Perfect” Profiles. We all would love for a young, wealthy, and attractive individual to faun over us. But you need to view the interaction through a realistic lens. Is it more likely that this person is real or a scammer posing as your perfect match?
• Love Bombing. Senior romance scammers often shower their targets with passionate declarations of love early on. They may use phrases like “soulmates” or explain how “fate” brought you together. While innocent flirting is expected with online dating, this extreme level of courting should raise alarm.
• Unusual Requests. If you were on an in-person blind date, you’d likely be suspicious if your match began asking for financial information. Senior romance scammers often make these very requests behind explanations like medical emergencies or travel expenses.

Real-World Example: Toledo Man Loses $125,000 to Romance Scam

A 79-year-old man from Toledo, Ohio lost the majority of his life savings to a romance scammer going by the name “Lisa Love”. The scam took place over the span of roughly half a year, and the losses surpassed $125,000.

The man received a random text from the scammer hiding behind the fake identity. He was recently divorced and lonely, the perfect storm for a romance scam. The two communicated over texts and even joined multiple video calls that deterred his suspicions.

After establishing a relationship, the scammer claimed to have an aunt who was a financial advisor and suggested a “golden” opportunity. His funds were sent to an account in Vietnam, and “Lisa” was not heard from again. The loss of his finances and supposed love interest left the man contemplating thoughts of self-harm.

The Devastating Consequences of Falling for a Romance Scam

Being targeted in a romance scam can be deeply painful, leaving lasting emotional scars. It can also have serious financial and physical consequences. The impact of such an experience often lingers, and it can take years to fully heal from the trauma. Some of the effects they may face include:

• Feelings of Shame and Guilt. People often feel embarrassed or ashamed after falling for a romance scam. This is especially true if the individual is older and consequently believes they should’ve been wiser. However, these scams can happen to anyone. You should not let shame prevent you from seeking help or sharing your experiences with loved ones.
• Loss of Savings and Retirement Funds. Meeting the scammer’s initial and seemingly innocent inquiry can lead to a flurry of further requests. Some individuals take out loans, remortgage their homes, or borrow from family members to send funds to the scammer. This can lead to years of financial instability and long-term debt.
• Difficulty Establishing Relationships. Romance scams can have detrimental ramifications to an individual’s ability to trust. In some cases, the damage caused by the scam makes it impossible to build meaningful relationships in the future.

2026 Statistics on Senior Romance Scams

The most recent data from the FBI and the FTC indicate that senior individuals are less likely to report scams. Both organizations reveal alarming numbers that indicate a rapid increase in cyber scams targeting seniors.

• According to McAfee’s 2026 Valentine’s Day research, 1 in 7 adults in the U.S. (15%) say they have lost money to a romance or online dating scam.
• Another report by the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) revealed that cases regarding romance scams increased by 131% from fiscal year 2024 to 2025. The same period saw a 225% rise in indictments, with a 100% conviction rate.
• USA Today reports a median loss of $2,218 for romance scams in the third quarter of 2025. A man from Michigan lost $3,000 he put on Apple gift cards after a text conversation with a so-called love partner.
• According to the Sumsub Identity Fraud Report 2025-2026, dating has become the most targeted industry. In the first half of 2025, victims in the UK lost around £20.5 million across 3,000 cases.
• Romance scams cause the third-highest losses of any form of senior fraud, accounting for $227 million in annual losses.
• Total fraud losses reported by seniors increased about fourfold from 2020 to 2024, reaching $2.4 billion in annual losses.

Safety Measures for Seniors Looking to Explore Online Dating

The best way to stop these senior scams is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Spreading awareness of the tactics scammers use to target the elderly and advising on online safety measures can help those most at risk avoid these situations.

Moreover, when you are in an online relationship with someone you have not met in person, it’s important to stay cautious and watch for potential red flags. Here are some safety measures you should follow:

• Be careful when sharing photos or personal details such as your full name, address, phone number, and any financial information. This information can be used to dupe or scam you.
• Take your time in getting into a relationship. Spend time getting to know the person and watch for any signs of manipulation such as requests for financial support or gifts, reluctance to meet in person, and inconsistencies in what they communicate.
• Be cautious if someone insists on moving your conversation to private messaging apps or other platforms. Romance scammers often insist on taking conversations off dating sites to make tracking more difficult for the authorities.
• If you are going to meet someone in person, make a video call with them first so that you can ensure they are who they claim to be and get a better sense of their intentions.
• Let a trusted friend or family member know your plans before you meet anyone in person, including where you are meeting, the name of the person, and the time.

We also invite you to check out our blog for a list of The Most Common Romance Scammer Phrases.

How to Unmask a Potential Romance Scammer

Senior romance scammers are cunning and calculated. They carefully craft their online alias to skew their real identity and portray themselves as the ideal catch. However, there are ways to crack this façade and reveal the scammer behind the screen.

• Reverse Image Search. One of the easiest ways to sniff out a romance scammer is reverse image searching their profile photos. This allows you to enter an image and see if matching results pop up elsewhere online. If they do, you can deduce that your new connection is hiding their identity behind stolen images.
• Compare Their Profiles. If they’ve contacted you on multiple platforms, compare their profiles for any inconsistent information. A real person’s bio information, writing style, and photos will be realistically consistent across platforms. This continuity is difficult to capture when using a fake or stolen identity.
• Propose a Video Call. Romance scammers will use every tactic under the sun to avoid a face-to-face interaction both virtually and in person. Asking them to join a video call can unravel their scheme. But just like the aforementioned case in Toledo, AI technology has made it possible to convincingly fake a video call. You can learn more about spotting these fakes by reading our article on AI-fueled scams.
• Ask Specific Questions. The early stages of online dating should consist of getting to know your potential partner, anyway. These questions can also help you identify a romance scammer. If they can’t give you consistent answers, it may be a red flag that they aren’t who they claim to be.

Can Law Enforcement or Consumer Protection Agencies Help You Recover from a Senior Romance Scam?

Most romance scammers will only accept payments that are irrevocable. This typically includes payment methods like Bitcoin, bank wires, gift cards, and payment apps to ensure they can keep their ill-earned revenues. Seniors are especially at risk for these scams because they trust the connection they’ve formed with the scammer and want to help the person they think they’re in a relationship with.

This makes recovering funds lost to scammers extremely difficult. You should immediately report the scam to your financial institution, the FTC, and the FBI. You should also consider the benefits of working with digital forensics professionals. These experts can work to track the data of digital transactions back to the scammer.

Working with Cybersecurity Experts

If your harasser resides in a different country from you, it may be advisable to seek the aid of a cybersecurity professional. These experts can track down the precise location of cybercriminals and help you collect the required evidence to take legal action. Additionally, they can help connect you with the appropriate law enforcement agency that can bring these criminals to justice.

Do You Believe Someone You Love Is Being Scammed?

When someone is targeted in a romance scam, their heart is the most affected. They might also never get their funds back, especially if they don’t report the crime. Protecting the people you love from possible financial and emotional harm starts with recognizing and educating them about the warning signs of a romance scam.

Steps Family Members and Caregivers Can Take to Protect Their Loved Ones

• Discuss the dangers of giving out personal information online and educate them on common tactics used by romance scammers.
• Let them know that they can come to you without judgment if they have any concerns about someone they met online.
• Stay involved by regularly checking what they are doing online without being overbearing.
• Help them understand safe Internet practices and how to protect themselves from romance scams.
• Put your tech-savvy skills to work with reverse-image searches and simple verifications to see if there are any red flags.

Get Help Today

Here at Digital Forensics Corp., our team of experts is ready to help if you have fallen victim to a senior scam. Our use of proprietary techniques can uncover the identity and location of the person who is attacking you. We can help you gather evidence of the crimes committed against you and assist with reporting them, thanks to our connections with police precincts around the world.

Our help doesn’t end there. We keep a database of the criminals we catch to help prevent them from reoffending. Additionally, after responding to the incident, we can help you prevent future attacks by providing ongoing monitoring.

If you or a loved one has been targeted,  Don’t face this alone. Contact our team now to report romance scam and get immediate support.

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