Arizona officials are warning residents about a growing wave of romance scams that are costing victims significant amounts of money, sometimes draining life savings in the process.
According to a public service announcement released Friday, Kris Mayes joined forces with the Better Business Bureau to raise awareness about the increasing threat. Officials say romance scams are especially damaging because they tend to take more money per victim than any other type of fraud tracked by the BBB.
Authorities explained that these scams often begin in seemingly harmless ways. Victims may receive a message from someone they don’t know through social media, a dating app, or even a random “wrong number” text. Over time, the scammer builds a relationship, gaining trust and creating an emotional connection before eventually asking for money.
Mayes emphasized how manipulative these scammers can be, noting that they specifically target people who are looking for companionship. She warned that the damage goes beyond financial loss, saying victims often also lose their sense of trust and emotional security. She urged anyone who is asked for money by someone they have never met in person to stop communication immediately and report the situation.
Officials also shared real examples of recent victims in Arizona to highlight how convincing these scams can be. In one case, a woman said she was communicating with someone who claimed to be a surgeon working overseas and promised her a better life. Another victim believed she was speaking with an army general stationed abroad, describing how they communicated regularly. A third person thought they were in a serious relationship with an engineer in Asia, even making plans to live together and build a future.
Altogether, three Arizona residents recently reported losing a combined total of $155,000 through these scams.
Officials continue to encourage the public to remain cautious when forming online relationships, especially when money becomes part of the conversation, and to report any suspicious activity to help prevent others from becoming victims.
Source: AZFamily
