Ohio Attorney General Launches New Initiative to Combat Romance Scams
COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson has launched a statewide initiative aimed at protecting Ohio residents—particularly older adults—from romance scams and similar impostor schemes that can leave victims financially devastated and emotionally isolated.
The Romance Impostor Scams Forensic Initiative gives victims and concerned family members a dedicated hotline to report suspected scams and receive assistance.
Anyone who believes they or a loved one may be targeted can call 1-855-961-SCAM.
“No Ohioan should lose his or her life savings to someone pretending to care about them,” Wilson said. “These scammers are sophisticated, emotionally manipulative and, sadly, increasingly common. We’re giving families a place to turn when they suspect something isn’t right and providing law enforcement with valuable information to investigate these crimes.”
Romance scammers typically create fake online identities and build what appears to be a genuine relationship with their targets. After earning a victim’s trust, sometimes through weeks or months of frequent conversations, the scammer begins requesting money.
The requests may involve a claimed medical emergency, travel expenses, customs fees, an overseas military deployment or a supposedly profitable cryptocurrency or investment opportunity.
Other schemes include fraudulent dating websites designed to steal personal information, catfishing using stolen or artificial intelligence-generated photographs, and sextortion scams in which victims are threatened after sharing intimate images.
According to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, scammers often portray themselves as successful, caring and deeply interested in the victim’s life. They may claim to live or work overseas and repeatedly avoid video calls or in-person meetings.
Once victims send substantial amounts of money, the scammers frequently disappear, stop responding or block all communication.
“Many victims don’t realize or don’t want to believe they’re being manipulated, that’s how good many of these scammers are,” Wilson said. “Our goal is to help families intervene sooner and prevent their loved ones from becoming victims.”
Reports Reviewed for Signs of Fraud
Information submitted through the hotline will be received by the Attorney General’s Constituent Services Section and coordinated with experts throughout the office.
Forensic investigators with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation will review reports for indicators of fraud. Cases involving possible criminal violations may then be referred to local law enforcement agencies.
Victims and their families will also receive educational materials and guidance from the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section to help prevent additional financial losses and understand what options may be available.
The Attorney General’s Office said many romance scams remain unreported because victims feel ashamed or embarrassed about what happened.
In 2025, Americans age 60 and older reported losing approximately $584 million to romance scams, representing a 50% increase from the previous year, according to statistics cited from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Authorities believe the actual losses are significantly higher because many victims never report the crime.
Warning Signs
Ohioans should be cautious when an online romantic interest:
– Quickly attempts to form a strong emotional bond.
– Claims to live, work or serve in the military overseas.
– Avoids video calls or repeatedly refuses to meet in person.
– Asks for money because of an emergency or financial crisis.
– Requests payment for travel, medical bills, customs fees or shipping charges.
– Promotes cryptocurrency or another investment opportunity.
– Asks for personal, banking or identifying information.
– Pressures someone to send intimate photographs.
– Sends documents and asks the victim to sign them.
Residents are advised to research anyone they meet online, protect their personal information and never send money to a person they have not met and independently verified.
Anyone who suspects a romance scam involving themselves, a friend or a family member is encouraged to call the Romance Impostor Scams Forensic Initiative hotline at 1-855-961-SCAM.
