Romance Scams Over 40: How Smart, Successful People Still Fall for Them | Pare Dating

By: Emma Irvine

Romance scams are the fastest-growing form of fraud, costing victims over $1.3B in 2023. Learn why adults over 40 are most targeted—and how to stay safe while dating online.

The Hidden Epidemic of Romance Scams

Romance scams aren’t rare—they’re rising fast. In 2023 alone, the FTC reported over $1.3 billion lost to romance fraud, but experts believe the real number is much higher. Most victims never report it, out of shame or fear of being judged.

And here’s what might surprise you: it’s not just lonely or isolated people being targeted. It’s smart, accomplished adults—people who have successful careers, families, and a genuine desire for connection.

Scammers prey on trust. They build emotional bonds before they ever ask for money. They make you feel seen, known, and valued—and then use that trust against you.

Why Adults Over 40 Are the Prime Targets

According to multiple studies, adults over 40 are now the most targeted demographic for romance scams. Why?

• They often have more financial stability and life savings.
• They grew up before the digital dating era, making online deception harder to spot.
• Many are recently single, widowed, or divorced—and genuinely looking for companionship.

Scammers know this. They tailor every word, every message, every “good morning” to build emotional trust before introducing a reason for financial help.

It’s not stupidity—it’s empathy that gets exploited.

The New Face of Online Dating Fraud

Romance fraud isn’t what it used to be. Modern scammers use:

• AI-generated photos and deepfake videos that look strikingly real
• Hacked social media accounts to impersonate real people
• Voice cloning to sound familiar or trustworthy
• Fake dating app profiles across multiple platforms

These scams can unfold over weeks or months, blurring the line between reality and deception.

What Romance Scams Really Steal

The money lost is devastating—but what hurts most is what’s harder to measure:

• Time: months or years spent on someone who never existed.
• Trust: in others, in dating, and often in yourself.
• Confidence: that quiet belief that you can open up to someone again.

At Pare, we’re working to rebuild that trust from the ground up.

How Pare Protects Against Romance Fraud

We built Pare because dating should be safe, intentional, and real. Every Pare member:

• Completes full ID verification and criminal record checks
• Is personally onboarded by a human, not an algorithm
• Is part of a verified community of real singles over 40

Our goal isn’t to make people fear dating—it’s to make them feel confident doing it again.

How to Protect Yourself and Loved Ones

If you’re dating online—or helping someone who is—keep these five reminders close:

1. Never send money or gift cards to anyone (even if you met in person)
2. Be cautious of love that moves too fast—real relationships take time.
3. Keep early chats on the app (don’t move to text or WhatsApp too soon).
4. Reverse-image search suspicious profile photos. (it's easy!)
5. Talk about it. Scammers rely on silence.

The more we talk about romance scams, the harder it becomes for scammers to succeed.

You’re Not Alone

If you or someone you love has been affected by a romance scam, remember—it doesn’t define you. You believed in connection. That’s something to protect, not to be ashamed of.

And if you’re ready to meet real, verified people again—Pare was built for that.

👉 Join the Pare Community and experience dating that’s safe, human, and real. www.paredating.com