Romance Scams Informational Report

Originally Published 5/04/2026

One of today’s most pervasive threats, romance scams build fake trust and affection to defraud victims. McAfee’s 2026 report found 1 in 7 American adults lost money to online dating or romance scams, and the FTC reports a median loss of $2,000 per victim — $1.14 billion in 2023.

This Cyber Florida Security Operations Center report explains what romance scams are, as well as common tactics, prevention tips, and points to resources for reporting and recovery.