Feb 6, 2026
When it comes to scammers, the Valentine’s Day season isn’t about flowers or chocolate; it’s about opportunity.
For one retiree from Mesa, Arizona, who decided to go by the name of "Susan" for anonymity, that opportunity turned into a devastating loss. According to AZ Family, the 69-year-old woman lost her four-bedroom home and life savings after falling victim to a romance scam (1).
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The scam started with a random Facebook message in the summer of 2025 when "Stephen," who claimed to be a Naval officer stationed in Iraq, began to flood Susan’s inbox with romantic messages and promises of a future together.
“He would start using love names — babe, honey and sweetheart,” Susan shared with AZ Family. “I don’t feel like I’m a dumb person, but I feel very stupid that I didn’t see the clues.”
The scammer reportedly said he wanted to help her with paying the bills, and even told Susan that he had sent her a package filled with gold, jewelry and cash. But a supposed U.S. diplomat reportedly told Susan that she needed to pay to get the packages through customs.
Susan wound up sending $1,200, then $8,000, then $55,000, and another $6,100. Eventually, she sold her home to access more funds. Susan only realized it was a scam after her financial advisor raised concerns while helping her apply for a car loan.
Now, Susan lives in a small apartment and struggles to pay her bills, without the home equity and retirement savings she once had.
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Phoenix real estate agent Doug Hopkins told AZ Family that he's seen at least six similar cases in the past year, in which romance scammers convince older Americans to "sell their house and wire this money to somebody they've never met."
Financial losses from romance scams are on the rise
Susan’s case is part of a much larger and more devastating trend.
According to data cited by the Federal Trade Commission, fraud losses among American adults ages 60 and older surged from about $600 million in 2020 to $2.4 billion in 2024, driven largely by romance scams, investment fraud and impersonation schemes (2). Many of the most devastating cases involve losses exceeding $100,000, and increasingly, major assets like homes.
Experts warn that scammers tend to ramp up their efforts around Valentine’s Day in order to target people who might be lonely, widowed or simply looking for a human connection. Emotional manipulation, especially when it involves vulnerable older Americans, can be a powerful tool that can fool even the most cautious people.
Modern scams are also getting harder to spot, as artificial intelligence has made it easier for fraudsters to generate extremely convincing photos, videos and faked documents in order to fool their victims. A scammer pretending to be a member of the military is a common tactic because it offers a built-in excuse that explains why the scammer can’t meet the victim in person, and why communication is often limited to text-based interactions.
Legally, there’s often little that can be done to stop the damage once it starts, especially when property is among the losses. As attorney Dwane Cates explained to AZ Family, adults are free to sell property even when family members suspect fraud.
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“If you are of age, if you are over 18, you can sign any contract to sell anything you want, and nobody can stop you from doing that,” said Cates, who notes that a concerned realtor can walk away from a client, but the seller can always find another one (1).
This is why it’s important for vulnerable older Americans to run major financial decisions, like giving money to a stranger or selling their house, through a trusted family member.
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How to protect yourself and your loved ones
Romance scams often use urgency to pressure victims into taking action, which is why it’s important to take a moment and evaluate the situation when a new online connection starts asking for money.
Here are a few other practical steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones from romance scams:
Know the red flags
While scammers may use slightly different scripts, the red flags tend to be universal. Scammers often refuse to meet in person, claim to be traveling or working overseas, and usually push to move conversations off dating or social media platforms quickly. They often "love bomb" their victims by pushing emotional intimacy early in the relationship and offering declarations of love and devotion.
Never send money to someone you don't know
This is the most important rule. No matter how real the relationship feels — or whether you've spoken with them on video — requests for wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency or mailed cash are almost always a scam. Even if they threaten you or claim they will be hurt or jailed, never send money to someone you haven't met in person.
Ask for help if you aren't sure
Victims often hesitate to speak up because they’re embarrassed or afraid of being judged. Talking to a trusted friend, family member, financial advisor or attorney can help you get an outside perspective on the situation before making a huge mistake.
Educate vulnerable loved ones
If you have a family member who may be more vulnerable to online scammers, pay attention to sudden changes. If they are secretive about a new relationship, become protective of their phone or computer, or suddenly want to liquidate assets, those can be warning signs. If you suspect fraud, report it promptly to the state attorney general’s office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or the Federal Trade Commission.
There’s no shame in falling for a romance scam. These operations are sophisticated and technology is making them even more convincing. As Valentine’s Day approaches, staying alert and knowing the red flags may be the best defense against the financial and emotional impact of a romance scam.
Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
AZ Family (1); Federal Trade Commission (2).
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Danielle is a personal finance writer based in Ohio. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including Motley Fool and Business Insider. She believes financial literacy key to helping people build a life they love.
