Graphika In The News: Romance Scams

Looking for love in all the wrong places is a tale as old as time.

But now, romance scams have become a permanent feature in the online fraud landscape.

New media reports are highlighting Graphika's latest report Looking For Love On All The Wrong Pages, which details scams that attempt to ensnare internet users in fake relationships to engage, deceive, and defraud people of their money. The report was released alongside industry partners at Meta to raise public awareness about these online scams ahead of Valentine's Day.

In coverage of the report, the Associated Press summarized that, "Meta said it recently worked with research firm Graphika to take down romance scams in three common categories: those impersonating military officers, celebrity mimics and scammers posing as fake match-making agencies that target people in Africa — 'claiming to offer opportunities to meet rich men from Western countries or build relationships with ‘African women.'"

Engadget highlighted that the scammers often "claim to be 'looking for love' and will strike up conversations with people on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp as well as other messaging platforms. Eventually, the scammer will request gift cards, crypto, or other types of payments."

Social Media Today advised that "it’s definitely worth taking note, and ensuring that anyone who may be reaching out is legit."

In an exclusive report, ABC News' Good Morning America called the scams "truly heartbreaking" and noted steps that Meta has taken to crackdown on such activity on their platform.