Romance Scam

Victims of the romance scam are cleverly persuaded to "invest" in fictitious crypto platforms secretly operated by the scammer, a scheme known as "pig butchering." The platforms display fake, impressive returns to rapidly build the victim's confidence, subsequently encouraging them to commit further investment or secure loans. The scammer utilizes the allure of high profits to effectively disguise the underlying deception and drain the victim's accounts. This type of fraud often involves detailed, seemingly legitimate-looking investment apps.

Scammers frequently pose as foreign-deployed U.S. soldiers, claiming to be in a difficult situation and desperately needing help with essential discharge paperwork, dangerous deployment costs, or customs fees for a large personal shipment. Victims are intensely emotionally manipulated with claims of a future together, often leading them to believe they are helping a national hero in distress. This common romance scam technique skillfully preys on patriotic sentiment, deep empathy, and the victim's desire to support a service member. The fabricated stories are often highly emotional and detailed to avoid suspicion.

• Under D.C. Code $22–3221 to $22–3225.04, anyone who knowingly obtains money or property through false pretenses or deliberate misrepresentation may face severe legal consequences.
• Penalties can include up to 10 years in prison and substantial fines, with the severity determined by the total amount stolen and the overall complexity of the crime.
• The pervasive use of technology to systematically deceive can further lead to enhanced penalties under broader federal wire fraud provisions. This section of law ensures that the fraudulent intent behind the romance scam is heavily and appropriately penalized. The deceitful use of electronic communications is a key element in escalating charges.

When the perpetrator of a romance scam is confirmed to be part of a larger, organized criminal ring, whether domestic or international, they may be prosecuted for criminal conspiracy or even under stringent federal RICO statutes. D.C. law specifically recognizes these complex, coordinated cases as aggravated offenses, often resulting in significant sentencing enhancements. These severe charges reflect the heightened gravity of organized financial crime targeting emotionally vulnerable individuals. Prosecutors in D.C. often coordinate with federal agencies when organized international rings are implicated.

Victims must immediately and meticulously save all forms of communication, including text messages, emails, dating app records, and call logs, along with comprehensive screenshots of the scammer's profiles and all transaction details. It is vital to securely back up all these materials (ideally on an external drive or cloud service) before filing any official reports, as digital evidence can be quickly deleted. This preserved evidence forms the undisputed bedrock of any subsequent legal action regarding the romance scam. This documentation must be organized chronologically to demonstrate the pattern of deception.

The romance scam should be reported to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) as soon as possible, ensuring all preserved and organized evidence is included with the filing. Filing quickly increases the likelihood of linking your case to other victims or alerting international agencies like Interpol if overseas actors are involved. Furthermore, an official report is usually required for initiating civil action to recover assets. A detailed, timely police report is a mandatory first step for pursuing justice and any potential financial recovery. This action initiates the official criminal investigation process.