How global cybercrime syndicates are stealing hearts — and billions

Major global cybercrime syndicates are turning their efforts to romance scams, where victims are lured in by the prospect of love before being squeezed for their personal data or finances.

The scams, which took off during the Covid-19 pandemic, often capitalize on people’s isolation and are heightened in the lead-up to Valentine’s Day, when scammers are more likely to be on the prowl for lonely hearts looking for connection. And artificial intelligence is only making these scams more prevalent and harder to detect.

According to the FBI, Americans lost more than $16 billion to cybercrime, including romance scams, in 2024. One in seven American adults has reported losing money to romance scammers, who often use a fake online identity to build a relationship with their victims.

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