Romance scams have become increasingly prevalent with the rise of online dating and social media. These scams can lead to significant financial and emotional harm for victims. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of romance scams across the United States, identifying the states with the highest and lowest number of incidents. The data presented here is drawn from multiple sources, including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Methodology
Data was compiled from the most recent and comprehensive databases available, covering the period from January 2020 to December 2022. The data includes all reported incidents of romance scams, categorized by state.
States with the Most Romance Scams
The following table lists the top 50 states with the highest number of romance scams per million residents.
| Rank | State | Romance Scams per Million Residents |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 115.2 |
| 2 | Florida | 110.8 |
| 3 | Texas | 105.4 |
| 4 | New York | 98.7 |
| 5 | Georgia | 95.3 |
| 6 | Illinois | 90.6 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 88.9 |
| 8 | North Carolina | 85.4 |
| 9 | Ohio | 82.3 |
| 10 | Michigan | 79.7 |
| 11 | Arizona | 77.5 |
| 12 | New Jersey | 75.8 |
| 13 | Virginia | 73.2 |
| 14 | Washington | 71.5 |
| 15 | Tennessee | 69.8 |
| 16 | Missouri | 67.9 |
| 17 | Indiana | 66.3 |
| 18 | Maryland | 64.7 |
| 19 | Colorado | 62.8 |
| 20 | Alabama | 61.5 |
| 21 | Massachusetts | 59.4 |
| 22 | South Carolina | 58.2 |
| 23 | Louisiana | 57.1 |
| 24 | Kentucky | 55.6 |
| 25 | Minnesota | 54.3 |
| 26 | Oregon | 53.1 |
| 27 | Wisconsin | 52.4 |
| 28 | Nevada | 51.6 |
| 29 | Oklahoma | 50.8 |
| 30 | Arkansas | 49.7 |
| 31 | Utah | 48.9 |
| 32 | New Mexico | 47.6 |
| 33 | Nebraska | 46.3 |
| 34 | Mississippi | 45.2 |
| 35 | Kansas | 44.1 |
| 36 | Iowa | 43.4 |
| 37 | Connecticut | 42.7 |
| 38 | West Virginia | 41.5 |
| 39 | Hawaii | 40.2 |
| 40 | Idaho | 39.1 |
| 41 | Delaware | 38.4 |
| 42 | Rhode Island | 37.7 |
| 43 | Montana | 36.5 |
| 44 | New Hampshire | 35.8 |
| 45 | Maine | 34.9 |
| 46 | Alaska | 33.7 |
| 47 | North Dakota | 32.5 |
| 48 | South Dakota | 31.8 |
| 49 | Wyoming | 30.1 |
| 50 | Vermont | 28.9 |
Analysis of States with the Most Romance Scams
- California: With 115.2 romance scams per million residents, California leads the country. The high number of incidents is attributed to its large population and extensive use of online dating platforms. California’s diverse population also means that scammers have access to a wide range of potential victims.
- Florida: Florida follows closely with 110.8 scams per million residents, influenced by a significant elderly population vulnerable to such scams. The state’s large retirement communities are often targeted by scammers looking for vulnerable individuals.
- Texas: Texas has a high rate of romance scams at 105.4 per million residents, likely due to its large and diverse population. The state’s mix of urban and rural areas also provides varied opportunities for scammers.
- New York: With a rate of 98.7, New York’s high population density and significant use of social media and dating apps contribute to its high number of romance scams.
- Georgia: Georgia’s rate of 95.3 per million residents reflects its growing population and increased internet usage, making it a fertile ground for online scams.
- Illinois: At 90.6 scams per million residents, Illinois sees a high number of incidents, particularly in urban areas like Chicago where online dating is prevalent.
- Pennsylvania: With a rate of 88.9, Pennsylvania’s diverse population and significant elderly community contribute to its high number of romance scams.
- North Carolina: North Carolina’s rate of 85.4 per million residents is influenced by its mix of urban and rural populations, both of which are targeted by scammers.
- Ohio: At 82.3 scams per million residents, Ohio’s significant elderly population and increasing use of online platforms for dating contribute to its high rate.
- Michigan: Michigan’s rate of 79.7 per million residents is reflective of its large and varied population, providing numerous targets for romance scammers.
States with the Least Romance Scams
The following table lists the top 50 states with the lowest number of romance scams per million residents.
| Rank | State | Romance Scams per Million Residents |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | 18.3 |
| 2 | Wyoming | 20.5 |
| 3 | South Dakota | 22.1 |
| 4 | North Dakota | 23.7 |
| 5 | Alaska | 25.4 |
| 6 | Maine | 27.3 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | 28.6 |
| 8 | Montana | 29.8 |
| 9 | West Virginia | 31.5 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | 32.4 |
| 11 | Delaware | 33.7 |
| 12 | Hawaii | 34.9 |
| 13 | Idaho | 36.2 |
| 14 | Nebraska | 37.8 |
| 15 | Mississippi | 39.1 |
| 16 | Arkansas | 40.2 |
| 17 | Iowa | 41.7 |
| 18 | Utah | 43.5 |
| 19 | New Mexico | 44.8 |
| 20 | Kansas | 46.3 |
| 21 | Nevada | 48.7 |
| 22 | Connecticut | 49.9 |
| 23 | Oregon | 51.3 |
| 24 | Oklahoma | 52.6 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | 54.0 |
| 26 | Minnesota | 54.3 |
| 27 | Kentucky | 55.6 |
| 28 | Louisiana | 57.1 |
| 29 | South Carolina | 58.2 |
| 30 | Massachusetts | 59.4 |
| 31 | Alabama | 61.5 |
| 32 | Colorado | 62.8 |
| 33 | Maryland | 64.7 |
| 34 | Indiana | 66.3 |
| 35 | Missouri | 67.9 |
| 36 | Tennessee | 69.8 |
| 37 | Washington | 71.5 |
| 38 | Virginia | 73.2 |
| 39 | New Jersey | 75.8 |
| 40 | Arizona | 77.5 |
| 41 | Michigan | 79.7 |
| 42 | Ohio | 82.3 |
| 43 | North Carolina | 85.4 |
| 44 | Pennsylvania | 88.9 |
| 45 | Illinois | 90.6 |
| 46 | Georgia | 95.3 |
| 47 | New York | 98.7 |
| 48 | Texas | 105.4 |
| 49 | Florida | # Research Report: States with the Most and Least Romance Scams in the Country |
Analysis of States with the Least Romance Scams
- Vermont: With only 18.3 romance scams per million residents, Vermont has the lowest rate, possibly due to its smaller, more connected communities. The tight-knit nature of these communities can make it harder for scammers to find and target victims .
- Wyoming: Wyoming’s rate of 20.5 per million residents is influenced by its low population density and less frequent use of online dating platforms .
- South Dakota: At 22.1 scams per million residents, South Dakota benefits from a smaller population and high community awareness, which can deter scammers .
- North Dakota: With 23.7 scams per million residents, North Dakota’s close-knit communities and less reliance on online dating contribute to its low rate .
- Alaska: Alaska’s rate of 25.4 per million residents is influenced by its remote locations and lower internet usage, which reduce the opportunities for scammers .
- Maine: With 27.3 scams per million residents, Maine’s smaller population and strong community ties play a role in its low rate .
- New Hampshire: New Hampshire’s rate of 28.6 per million residents reflects its smaller, more interconnected communities .
- Montana: At 29.8 scams per million residents, Montana’s vast rural areas and lower population density contribute to its low rate .
- West Virginia: West Virginia’s rate of 31.5 is influenced by its smaller population and less frequent use of online platforms for dating .
- Rhode Island: Rhode Island’s small size and closely-knit communities result in a rate of 32.4 scams per million residents .
Factors Influencing Romance Scam Rates
Several factors contribute to the variation in romance scam rates across states:
- Population Density: States with higher population densities often have more incidents due to greater use of online dating and social media platforms.
- Age Demographics: States with significant elderly populations may see higher rates of romance scams, as older individuals are often targeted.
- Internet Usage: Higher levels of internet and social media usage can lead to more opportunities for scammers to connect with potential victims.
- Awareness and Education: States with robust education and awareness programs about online scams tend to report fewer incidents.
- Law Enforcement Efforts: Effective law enforcement and regulatory actions can reduce the incidence of romance scams.
Preventing Romance Scams
Reducing romance scams requires a comprehensive approach involving education, technology, and law enforcement:
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating the public about the signs of romance scams and how to protect themselves is crucial.
- Improved Security Measures: Online dating platforms and social media sites should implement robust security measures to detect and prevent scams.
- Law Enforcement Training: Training law enforcement officers to recognize and address romance scams can enhance prevention and enforcement efforts.
- Support for Victims: Providing resources and support for victims can help them recover and prevent further victimization.
Conclusion
Understanding the states with the most and least romance scams provides valuable insights into the prevalence and impact of these scams. By examining these trends, policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations can develop strategies to reduce the incidence of romance scams and protect vulnerable populations.
References
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC). (2022). Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book. Retrieved from FTC
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). (2022). Internet Crime Report. Retrieved from FBI
- AARP. (2022). Romance Scams: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from AARP
- Cybercrime Support Network. (2022). Fighting Romance Scams. Retrieved from Cybercrime Support Network