Romance fraud has become one of the most prevalent forms of online crime worldwide, with law enforcement agencies reporting alarming growth in cases and mounting financial losses. In a major 2025 operation, Interpol arrested 260 suspects across several African countries involved in romance fraud and sextortion, identifying 1,463 victims with combined losses of nearly US$2.8mil (RM11.3mil). The US Federal Bureau of Investigation received nearly 18,000 romance scam complaints in 2024 alone, with victims losing a combined US$672mil (RM2.72bil).
The fraud typically follows a well-established pattern. Scammers create fake profiles with attractive photographs and elaborate backstories, positioning themselves as successful professionals working internationally. They engage potential victims in frequent online conversations, building emotional connections over weeks or months. Once trust is established, the fraudster manufactures a crisis — financial difficulties, medical emergencies or family troubles — and requests money to resolve the situation.
Artificial intelligence has transformed romance fraud by making it significantly easier and cheaper for criminals to operate at scale. According to Professor Martin Steinebach of Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Secure Information Technology, AI technology has become so advanced that ordinary people struggle to distinguish authentic content from fabricated material. Scammers can now generate convincing fake identities in minutes, complete with photos and supporting documentation that appear legitimate.
Victims often lose substantial sums before recognising the deception. A 72-year-old woman from Dresden transferred €115,000 (RM540,304) to a man she met on a dating site over approximately six months before contacting authorities. The man claimed to be living in China and repeatedly requested money, citing ongoing financial hardships. Middle-aged and older women have traditionally been targeted, though criminals increasingly target broader demographics by posing as romantic partners, friends or even family members.
Criminal networks operating in South-East Asia, Nigeria, Ghana and other regions have established a sophisticated global industry around romance fraud. Law enforcement agencies across Germany, Australia, the United Kingdom and numerous other countries continue documenting rising case numbers. A 2024 survey commissioned by payment company Visa found that three in five German respondents were aware of romance scams, while one in seven reported being targeted by such schemes.
