Author: Emma Brand
Romance scams have surged to alarming heights, preying on the hearts and wallets of unsuspecting individuals. As the Ghanaian Cyber Security Authority recently issued a warning through their official Twitter account, the country finds itself battling against an exponential growth in these deceptive schemes. The revelations brought forth by investigative journalist Mariana van Zeller in her 2021 National Geographic documentary shed light on the inner workings of Ghanaian scammers. However, it is the highly publicized case of Mona Faiz Montrage, a Ghanaian influencer, that has truly exposed the severity of the issue. Arrested in the UK and extradited to the US, she now faces charges for her involvement in a web of romantic scams that targeted victims in America.
The COVID-19 pandemic served as a breeding ground for romance scams, pushing their numbers to unprecedented levels. According to a report by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in February 2023, reported losses in 2022 skyrocketed to a staggering $1.3 billion, marking a significant increase from the $547 million recorded in 2021. These figures validate the predictions made by Arkose Labs, a leading fraud prevention platform, which foresaw an 80% surge in romance scams for 2022.
Perpetrators of romance scams have honed their tactics, utilizing social media platforms and dating apps to create elaborate fake profiles. Unsolicited emails also serve as a means to establish intimate connections with their unsuspecting targets. Armed with extensive research obtained from victims' social media activities, scammers patiently build trust before exploiting them for financial gain. These fraudulent individuals are skilled at manipulating emotions, leveraging the vulnerability of their victims who yearn for love and companionship. Illnesses, imminent dangers, and financial insecurities become part of a well-crafted narrative. The scams unfold with a sense of inevitability, even without physical encounters, as the digital realm increasingly dominates daily life.
Romance scams have a devastating impact on individuals.Victims are lured into a web of deceit, often parting with their hard-earned money, assets, and investments. The emotional toll is equally profound, leaving victims traumatized and shattered. The consequences extend beyond financial loss; they are scars that may last a lifetime.