Arizona Sees Alarming Rise as 5th in Romance Scam Losses

As the digital age evolves, so too do the tactics of online romance scammers, particularly in Arizona. Recent statistics reveal a staggering loss of over $47 million in romance scams between 2022 and 2023, according to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. Arizona ranks fifth nationally for losses, trailing only California, Florida, Texas, and New York.

The growing concern has prompted Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes to take action. At a recent town hall meeting, Mayes emphasized the urgency of addressing these scams, particularly their impact on elderly residents. “These scammers are everywhere. These crimes are on the rise, and the amounts of money that they are stealing from especially our elderly are astronomical,” she stated.

In a notable case, the Attorney General’s Office prosecuted Donald Franklin Huegel for his role in defrauding two elderly Arizona residents of $457,000 through collaboration with Nigerian scammers. Huegel received a four-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including money laundering and theft.

Despite heightened awareness, many potential victims remain unsuspecting. According to AARP Arizona analyst Dawn Alexander, one significant warning sign in online relationships is the rapid declaration of love. “Somebody is going to engage somebody, and they’re going to move very fast,” she noted. Scammers often prefer to move conversations from public platforms to private texts or emails.

Another common tactic is avoiding personal photos and quickly requesting financial assistance, with victims sometimes facing prolonged interactions that can lead to severe financial distress. Alexander expressed concern that the actual financial losses from these scams may be much higher than reported. “People are embarrassed. They don’t want to express the fact that they’ve been taken advantage of,” she explained.

Romance scams are on the rise, particularly among retirees in Arizona. Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Lance Hunzeker pointed out that older adults frequently fall prey to these scams not due to naivety, but because they often possess financial resources.

As technology advances, scammers have incorporated artificial intelligence and sophisticated techniques into their methods. Attorney General Mayes warned that the love-seeking season surrounding Valentine’s Day might create additional vulnerabilities. “These scammers know that, and they are increasingly using AI and technology to try to scam us out of money,” she stated.

Experts like Jaron Mink from Arizona State University have highlighted the troubling capabilities of new technologies. “The biggest concern is the ability to duplicate people’s identities in ways that weren’t possible before,” Mink said. This technological prowess allows scammers to create convincing fake identities across various media formats, making them harder to detect.

In light of this growing threat, AARP Arizona has ramped up efforts to educate the public about recognizing and reporting suspicious activities. Individuals who suspect they or someone they know has fallen victim to fraud can contact AARP’s Fraud Watch Network helpline at 1-877-908-3360. Additionally, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office provides resources for reporting fraud through its Task Force Against Senior Abuse via a toll-free helpline at 1-844-894-4735 or through email at seniorabuse@azag.gov.