‘These texts were like a drug’: Montana woman says she lost $90K in online romance hoax — and the FBI warns more and more Americans are now falling for these scams

“It hit me at the right time,” she said. “I was very vulnerable. For me, these texts were like a drug… like I needed them to live with. Now I read these texts, and it makes me sick that I fell for this.”

What happened to Rita — and how romance scams work

In 2024, Rita met a person online who claimed to be a celebrity. They couldn’t meet in person, he said. At the time, that didn’t seem strange. The celebrity was also going through a divorce, and they bonded emotionally over their shared struggles. The connection grew deeper, and then the celebrity began requesting money through Bitcoin.

By the time Rita realized what was happening, she was out nearly $90,000. Some of the romance scam red flags become clear only in hindsight. Here’s how they typically work:

• Scammers create fake profiles and form fast emotional bonds, often with older adults who may be feeling lonely or going through major life changes.
• The scammers avoid meeting in person.
• They isolate their victims from friends and family.
• They begin requesting money, sometimes claiming they’re stuck overseas, need help with medical bills, or want to visit but can’t afford travel.

When Rita finally started to question the relationship, she saw the truth: “I wasn't thinking with my brain,” she said. “I was thinking with my heart.”

Hundreds of millions of dollars are lost to romance scams nationwide

Rita’s not alone. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Americans lost a total of $1.14 billion to romance scams in 2023, with more than 64,000 victims reporting losses. The FBI's annual Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) fraud report said there were over 17,000 reports of romance scams in 2024, with a total loss of $672 million. Victims over the age of 60 are most vulnerable, with a reported $389 million in losses to romance scams alone.

The impact is also clear in Montana. FBI spokesperson Sandra Barker said the state saw 44 romance scam victims last year with millions in losses.

“In 2024, our internet crime report shows that in Montana, there were 44 victims reporting losses of over $2.2 million just on romance scams alone, so that will indicate just how prevalent the scam is,” she said.

How to stay safe from romance scams

Romance scams often follow a predictable pattern: fast emotional bonding, refusal to meet in person, and repeated requests for money. To stay safe, the FTC recommends keeping these tips in mind:

• Be skeptical of fast-moving relationships. Scammers often profess love or deep affection within days or weeks. They may share a sad or dramatic story to gain your trust or sympathy.
• Insist on face-to-face contact. Anyone who refuses to meet in person may not be who they say they are. Remember that even videos can be faked or altered to seem real.
• Do a reverse image search of any photos. If the images show up attached to someone else's profiles or on a stock photo site, you're likely dealing with a scammer.
• Never send money to someone you haven’t met. This includes wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, which are common payment methods used in scams. Common excuses include needing help getting home, investments, or wanting to meet.
• Limit what you share online. Scammers comb through social media profiles for personal details they can use to manipulate you. They might see your travel photos and say, "I love to travel," as a way to bond or, as in Rita's case, claim to be going through a similar emotional struggle.
• Talk to trusted friends or family. If a new relationship feels “too good to be true,” check in with someone who can offer perspective. Pay attention if they express concern. *

If you think you’ve been scammed, cut off contact immediately and report it. File a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov) and report the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.FTC.gov. You should also contact your bank or credit card company to see if any payments can be reversed.

“So many people are so embarrassed to come forward and admit to it,” Rita says, but she implores victims to come forward anyway because “You give these people an opportunity to make even more money. So you need to report it, don’t get taken advantage of.”

While recovering stolen funds can be difficult, especially if sent via crypto or wire, reporting the scam quickly may improve your chances. It can also help prevent others from being targeted by the same perpetrator.

Rita says she shared her story in the hope that others will learn from her experience. “If I can save just one person from this folly, if I can make one person realize that this is not real, I've done my job.”