CHICAGO (CBS)– Victims who fell prey to fraudsters have repeatedly shared their harrowing experiences with CBS 2.
These individuals, once hopeful romantics, found themselves with shattered hearts and depleted bank accounts.
“I was completely manipulated.”
“I placed my trust in this individual, which led to my downfall.”
“This individual was nothing but a figment of imagination.”
CBS 2 has featured the narratives of numerous romantics who were left emotionally bruised and financially drained. As more individuals become targets, CBS 2 delves into the evolving landscape of romance scams.
The quest for a love story is universal. Kevin Davis embodies this quest, quite literally.
Renowned as a romance novel cover model, Davis remarked, “I have garnered a significant following, with my images widely circulated among the public.”
Steamy photos and enticing videos grace his Instagram and TikTok profiles.
However, Davis clarified, “I do not maintain a TikTok account.”
Reporter: “So, none of those profiles belong to you?”
Davis: “None whatsoever.”
He elaborated, “These accounts falsely claim to be mine, often used to engage with my fans.”
This scenario mirrors a classic tactic employed by romance scammers: feign interest, declare affection, and solicit money.
“I empathize with the victims of such deceit,” Davis expressed.
These scams have collectively cost Americans over $2 billion since 2021, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
Natalie Reda, a former postal service inspector in the Chicago area, anticipates a surge in scam activities. Tasked with probing romance scams involving mail services, Reda has encountered individuals who have suffered substantial financial losses due to these schemes.
“I have shared tears with them as their stories are truly heart-wrenching,” Reda shared.
The sense of being left behind exacerbates the anguish.
“While we struggle to keep up with paperwork, scammers exploit new technologies at their leisure,” she lamented.
The incorporation of artificial intelligence-generated videos marks a new frontier.
Mike Reilley, an educator specializing in data and digital journalism at the University of Illinois Chicago, trains individuals to identify counterfeit content produced using AI software. When presented with videos apparently sent by romance scammers, Reilley pointed out discrepancies such as unnatural eyebrow movements and audio-visual mismatches.
While some AI-generated visuals may appear rudimentary, advancements in technology are evident. A comparison of images over two years showcases AI’s progression from pixelated to eerily realistic depictions.
While some of the AI-generated images may look like low-level work, technology is getting better. A look at two photos shows AI’s improvement in less than two years, from ugly pixelation to horrifyingly real.
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“AI has immense potential,” Reilley acknowledged. “However, in the wrong hands, it poses significant risks.”
Access to AI software for malicious purposes is surprisingly accessible.
“Most of this software is freely available,” Reilley revealed.
Romance scammers are also embracing cryptocurrency, particularly Bitcoin, as an alternative to traditional cash transactions.
CBS 2 interviewed Oscar Maldonado, a financial crimes detective with the Naperville Police Department.
Reporter: “What challenges arise when individuals report transferring money via Bitcoin?”
Maldonado: “The rapid dispersal of funds poses a significant hurdle.”
An increasing number of cases involve residents falling victim to romance scams and utilizing cryptocurrency kiosks at local gas stations.
“Once the money is transferred, it is virtually instantaneous,” Maldonado noted. “Unlike bank transfers, which entail processing time.”
These transactions are channeled to a “wallet,” creating a complex web that eludes investigators’ scrutiny.
“By day’s end, the funds could be dispersed across numerous wallets,” Maldonado explained.
In Chicago, fraudulent activities involving cryptocurrency have surged, with hundreds of cases reported annually.
Between 2013 and 2023, deceptive practices involving cryptocurrencies in Chicago amounted to over $27.6 million, based on a CBS 2 data analysis of police records.
CBS 2 scrutinized multiple cases detailing how victims initially connected with perpetrators online.
One instance in June 2021 involved a 28-year-old woman defrauded of over \(260,000 in a Bitcoin transaction. In another case from September 2022, a 58-year-old man lost \)240,000 worth of Ethereum cryptocurrency after investing in a fictitious company. The victim, a resident of Rogers Park, claimed to have encountered the perpetrator on Facebook, as per the police report.
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Since 2013, there have been over 2,300 cases referencing Facebook and nearly 500 cases mentioning Instagram.
Davis, the model whose images were misappropriated in scams, offers a cautionary message.
“If you receive unsolicited contact from unfamiliar individuals, exercise caution,” Davis advised.
He endeavors to shed light on the darker facets of romance.
“I refuse to be associated with fraudulent activities,” he asserted.
The investigative journey into the realm of online romance scams continues on CBS Mornings, where a daughter’s advocacy seeks to prevent others from succumbing to a tragic scam that claimed her mother’s life.
Lauren Victory
Lauren Victory, a Morning Insider reporter for CBS2 Chicago, joined the station in May 2016 after graduating from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.