FBI reports surge in romantic and confidence fraud losses

The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) 2025 annual report indicates a significant rise in romantic and confidence-based fraud. In the United States, reports reached 23,159 cases, up from 17,910 in 2024. Total losses from these scams climbed to $929 million, compared to $672 million the previous year.

Victims over the age of 60 accounted for more than $584 million in losses. These scams typically follow a predictable pattern: perpetrators build trust over several weeks before requesting money, often citing emergencies or promoting fraudulent cryptocurrency investment opportunities.

Security experts and platforms like Tinder warn of common red flags, such as scammers attempting to move conversations quickly off-app to SMS or private messaging to avoid detection systems, and attempting to establish serious relationships without ever meeting in person.