Attorney General Kris Mayes and the Better Business Bureau warned Arizonans on Apr. 17 about the risks of romance scams, which take more money per victim than nearly any other type of fraud tracked by the bureau.
This warning comes as several Arizonans have recently lost significant amounts of money to scammers posing as romantic partners online. The issue highlights ongoing efforts by state authorities to protect residents from financial and emotional harm.
“These scammers are skilled manipulators who prey on people looking for connection and companionship,” said Attorney General Kris Mayes. “They steal not just money but trust and peace of mind. If someone you’ve never met in person asks you to send money, stop and report it.”
Recent complaints include stories from three Arizona residents who together lost $155,000 after engaging with individuals they believed were genuine suitors. In one case, a Scottsdale woman sent $55,000 through a cash app to a man she met on Facebook who claimed he was living in Syria and needed financial help to start their life together.
Joe Ducey of the Better Business Bureau said, “Romance scams are among the most financially devastating frauds we track, and they’re heartbreaking because victims often don’t realize what’s happened until it’s too late. We want Arizonans to know the warning signs so they can protect themselves and the people they love.”
The Attorney General’s Office outlined common signs of romance scams: being contacted unexpectedly by strangers online; claims that the individual is traveling or working overseas; communication limited to text or messaging apps; rapid declarations of affection; requests for money via wire transfer or untraceable methods such as gift cards or cryptocurrency; reluctance to meet in person or video chat; and profile photos that may be stolen from others.
To avoid falling victim, officials advise never sending money to someone you have not met in person, remaining skeptical if someone refuses video calls or quickly wants private conversations off dating platforms, consulting trusted friends before transferring funds online, conducting reverse image searches on suspicious profiles, and discussing these risks with seniors who are often targeted.
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office addresses issues such as elder abuse, civil rights violations, unsolved crimes through its cold case unit—contributing to community protection across the state according to its official website. The office functions as Arizona’s primary legal entity offering advocacy for residents statewide according to its official website. Kris Mayes is Arizona’s 27th attorney general—the first mother in this role according to its official website.
Residents can file consumer complaints at the Attorney General’s website or call regional offices for assistance. Scams can also be reported through BBB’s Scam Tracker at bbb.org/scamtracker.
