DATING ROMANCE SCAMS IN HAWAI'I i

#romcon #romance #romancescam #fraud #hawaii

Online Dating and Romance Scams: Protect Your Heart and Wallet

Online dating on platforms like Plenty of Fish, OurTime, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Christian Singles, eHarmony, OkCupid, Badoo, Match.com, Bumble, and Hinge can feel exciting but it also brings real risks. Scammers prey on those seeking meaningful connections, often prioritizing emotional manipulation that leads to serious financial harm.

Hawai‘i residents lost more than $60 million to fraud in 2024, with romance scams making up a fast-growing share of those losses. Reports show romance scam losses in the islands have risen more than 80% since 2020.

Romance scammers use a wide range of entry points to reach potential victims. Understanding where and how they first approach can help you stay safe:

1. Dating Apps

• Plenty of Fish, Match.com, Bumble, Hinge, OkCupid, eHarmony, Badoo, Christian Singles, OurTime, etc.
   
• Scammers create fake profiles with attractive stolen photos and convincing personal stories.
   

2. Social Media Messaging

• Facebook, Instagram, TikTok
   
• First contact often comes through unsolicited direct messages such as:
   
  • “Hi beautiful, I just saw your profile and felt I had to reach out.”
     
  • “You look familiar, do we know each other?”
     
  • “I don’t usually do this, but you caught my eye.”
     

3. Private Chat Apps

• WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram
   
• Scammers often push victims to move conversations off dating sites or social media quickly.
   
• This shift makes it harder for platforms to monitor and flag suspicious behavior.
   

4. Text Messages from Unknown Numbers

• Many scams start with simple texts sent to random phone numbers.
   
• Common opening lines include:
   
  • “Hello, is this Anna?” (pretending to have the wrong number, but continuing the chat anyway)
     
  • “Sorry if I reached out to the wrong person, but you seem nice.”
     
  • “Hi, I was given this number by mistake but maybe we can be friends?”
     
  • “Hello dear, how are you today?”
     
• Once you reply, they attempt to build rapport and guide you into deeper conversation.

1. Alert your bank or credit union right away
    
2. Report to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and local authorities
    
3. Avoid “recovery” services. Many are scams themselves
    
4. Contact 808 Investigations for help with verification, investigation, and support
    

• Embarrassment, fear of judgment from loved ones
   
• Fear of retaliation, including threats or blackmail
   
• Emotional manipulation, still hoping the scammer’s promises are real
   
• Financial concerns, reluctance to admit losses
   
• Trust issues, skepticism that authorities will take the crime seriously
   

Erin West, a nationally recognized former prosecutor and founder of Operation Shamrock, has become one of the strongest voices in exposing romance and cryptocurrency “pig butchering” scams.

• On pig butchering:
  “At its core, pig butchering is a romance scam or cryptocurrency investment scheme. Scammers spend months building trust, showing off a lavish lifestyle, and eventually persuade victims to invest only to drain their life savings.”
   
• On the scale of these crimes:
  “Pig butchering preys on the entire net worth of the victim, consuming them from snout to tail, leaving no meat on the bone.”
   
• On victims:
  “Lead with empathy. Smart people, even those who work in finance or tech, get hit. The scammers are that good.”
   

Her insight underscores what we see daily. These scams are sophisticated, global, and devastating. But with the right help, victims can protect themselves and recover.

My name is Debra Allen, and I am the lead investigator at 808 Investigations, a division of Allen Investigations LLC.

If you suspect that you are being targeted by a romance scam, or if you are already a victim, please know you are not alone. These scams can happen to anyone, and reaching out for help is the first step to protecting yourself.

📞 Call or Text Me Directly: 808-829-7189
📧 Email: debra@808investigations.com
🌐 Website: https://808Investigations.com

When you contact me, I can:

• Verify if the person you are speaking with is who they claim to be
   
• Investigate suspicious requests for money or personal information
   
• Help you cut off communication with scammers safely
   
• Work with law enforcement when necessary
   
• Provide resources and support to help you recover emotionally and financially
   

Your safety and peace of mind are my top priority. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact me today, and together we can uncover the truth and protect your heart and finances.

🔒 Confidentiality Note: All consultations are 100% private and confidential. Your information will never be shared without your permission.