Arizona ranked 8th for most money lost to romance scams in 2023

October 3 is Romance Fraud Awareness Day, and the FBI’s Phoenix office reached out to X to share the message: Not everyone who uses dating sites is looking for love.

As online dating has skyrocketed in popularity, some have been left with an empty bank account.

According to the 2023 FBI Internet Crime Report, Arizonans were defrauded of nearly $325 million through internet fraud. This overall loss was the eighth largest in the nation among the 10 states with the most losses.

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center is the lead federal agency for investigating cybercrimes. In 2023, the center received more than 16,000 complaints from Arizona.

Romance scammers prey on people’s sensitivity and desire for connection. They often seem genuine, caring and trustworthy. By creating the illusion of a close relationship, a fraudster can gain the victim’s trust and rob him or her.

Scammers avoid personal interactions with victims, usually citing construction work outside the United States. In this type of story, the victim is more likely to help when the scammer asks for money to cover medical or legal expenses.

The FBI provides resources to educate the public and prevent fraud. Remember to take things slowly, ask questions, do outside research, and never share your banking or personal information online.