Your mother did her best to protect you from harm while you were growing up. It may soon be your turn to protect her.
I refer, of course, to the increasing threat posed by romance scams, which are big business. In a post, the FBI noted the following news in just the month of March, 2026:
- Nigerien National Indicted in Connection with Role in Romance Fraud Scheme
- Maryland Man Arrested for Facilitating Multimillion-Dollar International Romance Fraud Scheme
- Connecticut Man Sentenced to Nine Years’ Imprisonment for Participating in a Nationwide Romance Scam
- Ghanaian National Sentenced to Prison for Two Years for $1 Million Romance Scam
- Ghanaian National Pleads Guilty to Stealing More Than $10 Million Via Romance Scams
- Nigerian Citizen Who Attempted to Unlawfully Obtain U.S. Residency Through Fraudulent Marriages Sentenced in $4 Million Conspiracy
How much has been lost? Some estimates put it in the billions.
How Do Romance Scams Usually Begin?
Often the romance scam is months in the making. It may start with the victim meeting the scammer on a dating site. To evade the dating site’s safeguards, the scammer quickly convinces their victim to move to another communication method such as WhatsApp or Telegram.
They will tell their victim to keep their communications a secret. They will follow with rapid declarations of love. The scammer promises to visit or videochat but always comes up with an excuse for cancelling.
When the Requests for Money Start
Once trust has been established, the scammer asks for money for an “urgent” financial need. Most scammers at this point will instruct their victim to send money via wire, crypto, or gift cards.
The victim’s savings account, investment account, retirement account, and cash value of life insurance are easy pickings. When that is exhausted, these scammers may push for the victim to sell her house and send them the money, usually representing that they will marry the victim and buy a house together.
Often the victim is left penniless.
Signs Your Mom May Be the Victim of a Romance Scam
What are some indicators that your mom is being victimized?
- Her financial institution suddenly closed her account because of suspicious activity.
- She starts missing payments on her usual bills.
- She appears anxious about missing a telephone call from a new friend.
- She becomes secretive.
- She tells you she has made a new friend online and they communicate every day.
- She is making frequent trips to different stores to buy gift cards or send wires.
- She becomes defensive when you ask about her new friend.
What to Do If You Suspect a Romance Scam
What can you do if you believe your mom is a victim of romance scammer?
Research the Scammer
Reverse search the new friend’s name, photo and profile to see if they have already been used. Compile your evidence and present it to your mom, with the goal of stopping communication with the scammer.
Exercise Your Power of Attorney
If you are an agent under your mom’s power of attorney, you may be able to set up a trust or put additional safeguards in place to save her remaining assets.
Check In with the Bank
Contact her bank or credit union, wire services and crypto exchanges, if applicable.
File a Report
File a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, Adult Protective Services, the police, the FTC, the United States Postal Service, and the state Attorney General.
Report the Scammer on Platform
Report the scammer’s profile to whatever platform was used, such as Facebook, eHarmony, Instagram, Tinder or Match.com.
Determine Capacity
Consider if she was duped because she is incapacitated and incapable of recognizing the scam. If so, you may need to seek a guardianship to save what is left of her estate.
The scammers are very good at their job. You will have to be better.
Hammerle Morris Can Help Protect Vulnerable Loved Ones
If you are concerned that a parent or loved one may be the victim of a romance scam, legal guidance can help you understand your options. Powers of attorney, trusts, guardianship, and other planning tools may help protect remaining assets and prevent further financial harm.
Contact the Hammerle Morris team for guidance.
Virginia Hammerle is a licensed Texas attorney whose practice includes estate planning, probate, guardianship, and litigation.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
