People Still Fall for Romance Scammers
By Loretta
@noni1959 (10511)
United States
May 27, 2025 9:17pm CST
I found a documentary called, "Hey Beautiful: Anatomy of a Romance Scam." With all the information out there about scammers, it's amazing men and women continue to fall for the scams.
Many of the romance scams go after those that are older and lonely. Social engineering is something scammers are very good at and even intelligent people will fall for them.
I wish there was a way to stop those scammers. So many are hurt by them. One lady in the first episode, lost something like 1.2 million to the same one that was scamming several more. She sold her childhood home and gave him all the money too. It just boggles my mind.
With AI becoming a norm, they are getting better at convincing women and men they are real.
I have those "military" and "oil rig" scammers popping up on my social media and I ignore them or report if that is available. Unfortunately, they just create new names and new "faces."
I was able to stop a friend of mine falling for a "distinguished gentleman in his military uniform" that sent her a message on Instagram and told her she likes Mustangs and travel like he does. I warned her he was a scammer. She almost didn't believe me! Later, she thanked me when I showed her the same photo was sent to me and I did a reverse photo.
If you ever get something like that, do a reverse photo. Be careful out there.
8 people like this
6 responses
@Deepizzaguy (112515)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
28 May
There is an old saying that goes "A fool and money are easily separated."
2 people like this
@mnglsp (3693)
• Philippines
28 May
Thank you for sharing this — it's such an important reminder. Romance scams are heartbreaking, and you're absolutely right: even smart, kind people can fall victim because these scammers are so skilled at emotional manipulation. Good on you for helping your friend — that reverse image search can be a real lifesaver. Stay safe out there, and keep spreading awareness!
2 people like this
@noni1959 (10511)
• United States
9 Jul
I haven't either. I did almost fall for a married man that claimed was divorced. It was in person though. Someone told me he was still married. I checked. Sure enough. He tried to do the complicated or going to divorce thing. Wasn't interested and told him never call again.
@LindaOHio (196200)
• United States
28 May
As much as I'd like to meet a kindly gentleman, I won't try to find one online. It's too risky.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (196200)
• United States
9 Jul
@noni1959 When you can't get around, you don't get much opportunity to meet people. I don't want to spend the rest of my life alone.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (46645)
•
9 Jul
@noni1959
I don't look, either. I have all I can do right now, anyway.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (46645)
•
28 May
I know a lady a few years back who fell for one of those scammers, through facebook. He ''friended'' her...and moved slowly. All those profiles are so alike--either retired military or a retired doctor or lawyer, handsome, standing by a yacht, Oh, and it always says they are a widower. No ex to clutter up the landscape. And there it starts, and doesn't seem to end well. The lady I knew had spent 10K before her daughter found out what she was up to and put a stop to it, luckily it wasn't all the money she had, but still...and she had never formally met this person yet, either. How can anyone be this vulnerable? I know loneliness drives them to this, but...wow.
1 person likes this
@noni1959 (10511)
• United States
9 Jul
It just boggles my mind. They are always military, working over seas on oil rigs, etc. Someone should think if a very handsome man or beautiful woman "falls in love" with a senior and not in good shape physically. There are so many who think a celebrity is in love with them and will give those scammers money too.
1 person likes this
@noni1959 (10511)
• United States
9 Jul
@MarieCoyle I'm not either. lol I watched where some are on social security and a tiny pension and give what they have instead of paying bills. One lady sold her family heirlooms to give a man who claimed he was investing for their future. Just awful these scammers will take advantage of those in need.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (46645)
•
9 Jul
@noni1959
I get those friend requests, too. Report and block, every time. People need to wake up and realize there are scammers out there. No one in their right mind would scam me anyway, if they knew my situation, I am certainly not rich, LOL!
1 person likes this
