Love Scams: A Growing Threat in the Digital Age

Online dating has become a popular way to meet new people. However, it also comes with risks, especially when it comes to romance scams. These scams involve criminals creating fake profiles to trick people into sending them money. One such victim is Beth Hyland, a 54-year-old woman who fell prey to a scammer posing as a French project manager. Hyland's story is not unique. Many others have also been tricked into sending money to strangers they met online. The scammer, who went by the name "Richard, " bombarded Hyland with compliments and declarations of love. This tactic, known as "love bombing, " is a common strategy used by scammers to gain their victims' trust. Hyland was so taken in by "Richard" that she even started planning their future together. She took out loans and sent him money, believing that he would pay her back with a big payout from a construction project in Qatar. However, things took a turn for the worse when "Richard" asked for an additional $50, 000 to activate his account. Hyland's financial adviser was the first to raise the alarm. He told her that she was likely a victim of a romance scam. Hyland was initially in denial, but after a week, she decided to cut off all contact with "Richard. " The scammer tried to win her back by threatening suicide, but Hyland stood her ground and ended the relationship. It was later revealed that "Richard" was a member of a Nigerian criminal group known as the "Yahoo boys, " who have scammed victims out of billions of dollars. Hyland's experience highlights the need for better protections against online scams. Currently, there are no laws specifically targeting romance scams on dating apps and social media platforms. This is despite the fact that these scams are becoming increasingly common. In response to this growing threat, Senators Marsha Blackburn and John Hickenlooper have introduced a bill that would require dating apps and social media companies to remove or flag scammers from their platforms. The bill would also require these companies to issue notifications to users who interact with potentially fraudulent accounts. The legislation passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee last week on a bipartisan basis. However, bills that crack down on big tech often face delays in Congress. Blackburn, who has been advocating for more regulations on tech, also co-wrote the Kids Online Safety Act. This bill aims to better protect minors online and give guardians more control over their children's use of social media platforms. It passed the Senate easily last July but has since stalled in the Republican-controlled House. April Helm, a journalist based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has dedicated her life to spreading awareness about romance scams after her 70-year-old mother was scammed out of $350, 000. Helm's mother met a much younger man online and was quickly drawn into a scam. The scammer kept her up for long hours, causing her to become exhausted and eventually leading to her death. Helm started a podcast dedicated to telling "scammer stories" and sharing accounts from hundreds of victims and their family members. She hopes to inform her listeners of red flags to look for when dating online. Helm is skeptical that Congress will be able to pass any laws that actually stop romance scams. She believes that scammers will always find workarounds, no matter how many speed bumps are put in their way. However, she stresses the importance of victims speaking out and sharing their stories. This can help raise awareness and prevent others from falling victim to these scams.