How to spot romance scams online and protect yourself

Imagine matching with someone on a dating app who seems to have it all: charm, wealth, a glamorous lifestyle, and serious intentions about building a future with you. That was the promise prosecutors say 35-year-old Daejon Love offered to women he met online. Federal authorities recently charged Love and an alleged accomplice with defrauding more than two dozen women of approximately $1.3 million through fictitious investment opportunities. According to the complaint, Love allegedly posed as a San Francisco 49ers player or wealthy real estate investor, used romantic relationships to gain women’s trust, and then persuaded them to send money. The case is a stark reminder that dating scams often begin not with an obvious request for money but with the careful construction of emotional connection and trust. The internet has revolutionized dating, and there has been a surge in U.S. adults using apps to find ideal matches post-pandemic. While these apps offer convenience for connecting with romantic partners, they also open the door to online romance scams. Criminals create both deceptive profiles and urgent scenarios to carry out the scam. The Federal Trade Commission reports that near…