Internet romance scams cost $50 m in 2011

Internet romance scams were a common enough occurrence in 2011 to cost victims $50 million, Hiffington Post says, citing a new report from the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

The center is said to have received 314,246 complaints last year, 5,600 of which were related to romance scams. And that $50 million price tag is the result of victims losing an average of $8,900 each.


According to the report, scammers comb through chat rooms, dating sites, and social networking sites looking for their targets and use a well-rehearsed script that has proven successful in the past. Often times, they'll send their victims flowers and gifts while using stories of personal tragedy, injury, and other hardships to earn trust and concern.


The report also notes that, while all demographics are vulnerable, criminals tend to prey on those who are over 40, divorced or widowed, the disabled, and the elderly.