Fake star romance scams are rising fast. How to stay safe.

Romance scams have surged to alarming levels in 2025, with victims reporting median losses of $2,218 per incident in the third quarter alone, according to Federal Trade Commission Consumer Sentinel Network data. The schemes have evolved from simple confidence tricks into sophisticated, industrial-scale operations often run from overseas fraud factories where human trafficking victims are forced to conduct the deceptions.

More than 11,200 people reported romance scam losses between July and September 2025, totaling $398 million. For the first nine months of 2025, losses reached $1.16 billion—a 22% increase compared to the same period in 2024. These figures place romance scams among the most costly forms of fraud targeting American consumers.

Background and Context

Romance scams have existed for over fifteen years, but their scale and sophistication have increased dramatically in the past five years. What began as isolated cons has transformed into a global criminal enterprise involving highly organized scam centers, particularly in Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia.

According to Richard Graham, director of financial crime solutions at Moody's, these operations function as "massive fraud factories" where workers—often victims of human trafficking themselves—are forced to send messages all day, every day. "These aren't just quick scams," Graham explains. "These are long-term, relationship-based scams where they want to learn everything about you. Do you have kids? Do those kids have college funds? Because they want everything."

Key Figures and Entities

The FTC's Consumer Sentinel Network provides the most comprehensive data on romance scam losses, compiling complaints from sources including the AARP Fraud Watch Network, Better Business Bureau, and state attorneys general. Between January and September 2025, the network received 55,604 romance scam reports.

Individual case reports filed with the Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker reveal the human cost behind these statistics. One Michigan man lost $3,000 after purchasing Apple gift cards for someone impersonating Jennifer Aniston, while another resident sent $2,100 to scammers claiming to be actress Sandra Bullock. In August, a report described a vulnerable woman losing $135,000 to a romance scam after being manipulated into sending gift cards, cash, and wire transfers.

Several celebrities have publicly addressed the impersonation issue. Sandra Bullock warned fans in a February 2025 statement to People magazine: "Please be aware that I do not participate in any form of social media. Any accounts pretending to be me or anyone associated with me are fake accounts and have been created for financial gain or to exploit people around me." Country singer Cooper Alan also disclosed in June 2025 that a fan lost $5,000 to scammers impersonating him.

Legal and Financial Mechanisms

Romance scammers employ increasingly sophisticated tactics to manipulate victims into sending money. According to BBB analysts, these criminals tailor their approaches based on demographic factors, framing pitches differently for a 25-year-old woman versus a 55-year-old divorced male.

Common methods include requesting payment through gift cards, wire transfers, and cryptocurrency. Scammers often begin with small amounts before escalating their demands over months of cultivated relationship-building. Many impersonate celebrities or successful professionals to establish credibility, with some operations employing models or using artificial intelligence-generated video and audio to reinforce the deception.

The FTC has noted that older adults are particularly vulnerable, with those 60 and older reporting $2.4 billion in losses across all scam types in 2024. "Older adults were nearly twice as likely as younger adults to report a six-figure fraud loss," according to FTC findings, with romance and investment scams accounting for many of these substantial losses.

International Implications and Policy Response

The global nature of modern romance scams presents significant challenges for law enforcement and financial institutions. Corporate structures such as shell companies often facilitate these crimes, with Moody's research identifying single addresses that registered tens of thousands of businesses—61,000 companies at one South African residence and over 8,000 Chinese-named businesses at a Spanish location.

Financial institutions are developing new approaches to identify and protect potential victims. Carma Peters, president and CEO of Michigan Legacy Credit Union, explained that her institution "seeks opportunities to discuss the possibility of financial exploitation" and educates customers that once funds are withdrawn, wired, or transferred, "we have no recourse to get the money back."

Lawmakers and regulators are increasingly focused on improving cross-border cooperation to dismantle scam operations and protect vulnerable consumers. However, the international scope of these enterprises, combined with sophisticated money laundering techniques, continues to challenge enforcement efforts.

Sources

This report draws on data from the Federal Trade Commission Consumer Sentinel Network, reports filed with the Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker, and interviews with financial crime experts including Richard Graham of Moody's. Additional information comes from public statements by Sandra Bullock to People magazine and reporting on celebrity impersonation scams. Financial institution perspectives were provided by Carma Peters of Michigan Legacy Credit Union.