On the Job 

Authorities believe that the actual losses were much higher, largely because many scams go unreported by victims who are reluctant to admit that they were taken in by a thieving impostor — and so they don’t seek help.

This growing exploitation of our older population is infuriating. No one should lose his or her life savings to someone pretending to care about them.

That’s why the Ohio Attorney General’s Office has gone on the offensive to combat these crimes.

On July 23, we kicked off a multi-pronged initiative to help Ohioans identify romance scams, ward off financial losses, to urge people to report suspected schemes to authorities, and to support victims.

As part of this effort, we established a dedicated hotline — 1-855-961-SCAM — for those who have been victimized or who believe a loved one may be the victim of a romance scam.

Hotline users can share information with our Constituent Services Section, which will coordinate with experts from across the office, including specialists who will try to recoup at least part of any money lost by victims. Information provided to Constituent Services will be reviewed by forensic investigators with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) for indicators of fraud. Cases believed to warrant criminal charges will be referred to local law enforcement.

Simultaneously, victims and/or their loved ones will receive educational resources and guidance from our Consumer Protection Section to help them prevent additional financial losses and better understand available options.

Above all else, we want victims to know this: They are not alone — and we want to help.

Romance scammers typically choose their victims carefully, researching what they can about them and then reaching out online. They often spend a lot of time “grooming” victims emotionally, working to gain their trust. The more scammers communicate with their victims, the more the victims believe that a special relationship is developing.

Once scammers have victims where they want them, they ask for money, sweet-talking them for as long as it might take until, ultimately, their targets may acquiesce.

My guess is that your law enforcement agency is hearing increasingly from victims of romance scams. The more I talk to Ohioans across the state, the more I realize how prolific these crimes have become.

If you are hearing more about these crimes in your jurisdictions, you also likely know that many victims of romance scams — also called sweetheart scams — are older adults.

Older adults may have significant investment savings; they generally tend to be trusting, viewing most people as good and honest; and many are lonely, even some who see family members regularly. These and other factors make them desirable targets for scammers.

My own family has not been immune.

Last year, we learned that a loved one had been communicating for long periods at a time with a man who said he was an attorney and living overseas.

Our loved one was slow to share the online relationship with us. When she finally did, alarm bells began to sound. This relationship isn’t real, we told her; it’s a scam. This man isn’t who he says he is.

Whatever you do, we cautioned, do not give him money.

She hadn’t given him money, she assured us, nor had he asked for money.

Keep in mind that, in many ways, this relative was an unlikely victim. She was fiercely independent and managed her finances as well as anyone I know — excellent at both investing and protecting her money.

In other ways, though, she was a likely victim: She was older, living alone and, like most other human beings, eager for companionship.

As time passed, we began to see and hear from her less frequently. When we were in touch, this “suitor” and their future together tended to dominate the conversation. He had talked his way into her heart, convincing her that he would soon be coming to the United States to be with her.

Ultimately, she did give the scammer money. Unfortunately, we learned this after the fact — too late to retrieve any of it.

As for the suitor, he had done what every other romance scammer does: He disappeared, never to be heard from again.

The emotional toll exacted by these thieves is downright cruel; the financial toll, criminal and often devastating.

We need to turn the tide on these types of offenses — and we need law enforcement’s help to do that. Please send tips about possible scammers to my office, and my staff will refer cases that merit criminal charges back to you.

Together, we can fight back. Together, we can reprioritize dignity and respect for our elders.

They have earned at least that.

Let's go!

Andy Wilson
Ohio Attorney General