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Netflix documentaries can help educate seniors about romance scams

For single seniors, it’s must-see TV

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Mark Huffman
Reporter

Mark Huffman has covered consumer issues since 2004, with a special focus on protecting and empowering older adults. A former news correspondent for the Associated Press Radio Network, Westwood One, and ConsumerAffairs, Mark brings decades of journalistic experience to RetirementLiving.com. He is passionate about giving consumers a voice and helping them make informed decisions. Mark has also created educational content, including Senior Scam Alert, a video resource designed to help seniors recognize and avoid fraud. He holds a B.A. from the University of Kentucky and lives with his family in Richmond, Virginia.

A recent Netflix documentary on romance scams is making this crime top of mind among many people, particularly seniors. Losing a spouse is a painful experience, and some widows and widowers eventually seek comfort in a new relationship with people they meet on social media or dating sites.

But that can be fraught with danger, according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. All age groups are vulnerable, but ICE warns that older Americans may be particularly vulnerable and targeted as they typically have more assets and are less familiar with online scams. 

In 2024, older Americans reported losing $277 million to romance scams, marking a 16% increase from 2022, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Individual losses can be extremely high. The average loss per victim aged 60 and older was approximately $83,000, with over 147,000 complaints filed by this age group.

While the tactics used by romance scammers evolve with the times, the core tactic is the timeless art of social engineering – manipulating and influencing people to gain their trust. People of all ages are vulnerable, as it is human nature to seek trusting relationships. Romance scams exploit this human quality mercilessly.

Learning from real-life romance scams

Netflix has spotlighted several real-life romance scams through compelling documentaries, shedding light on the emotional and financial toll these deceptions can inflict. Binging on this subject is a good way to hone your red flag senses.

The documentary “The Tinder Swindler” delves into the story of “Simon Leviev,” a reputed Israeli con artist who posed as the son of a diamond mogul to defraud women he met on Tinder. According to the documentary, he wooed his victims with lavish gifts and trips, funded by money borrowed from previous victims, under the pretense of needing protection from fictitious enemies. 

One victim was manipulated into accruing nearly $500,000 in debt to support him. Leviev’s scheme is estimated to have swindled approximately $10 million from multiple women worldwide.

The latest documentary on the subject – “Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare” – is a film recounting the harrowing experience of a British radio presenter who was deceived for nearly a decade by her cousin.

The cousin created a fictitious online persona, “Bobby Jandu,” and maintained an elaborate web of over 50 fake profiles to sustain the deception. The victim was subjected to emotional manipulation, including claims of “Bobby” being in witness protection and suffering from life-threatening illnesses. The psychological toll was immense, leading to a civil lawsuit where she received damages and a formal apology.

Red flags

But in most cases, losses are never recovered. According to ICE, here are things to watch out for:

  • Claims they live, work or are traveling abroad.
  • Lacks proper grammar, although they claim to speak English.
  • Claims to be notably younger than you.
  • Quickly professes love to you.
  • Has a story that is inconsistent.
  • Has a minimal online presence.
  • Sends general photos (mostly fake/AI generated) of themselves traveling, shopping, or dining at luxurious locations.
  • Sends or requests explicit photos or videos.
  • Mentions the idea of meeting and being together soon.
  • Provides periodic excuses for being unable to make a video call 
  • If a video call happens, you’re unable to see their face clearly.
  • Requests to have conversations/texts be moved to a separate app (e.g., WhatsApp, Telegram).
  • Asks for money, often via non-traditional methods such as cryptocurrency or gift cards.
  • Asks if you’ve ever invested in cryptocurrency and/or a foreign exchange market.
  • Sends a business link of a cryptocurrency and/or foreign exchange trading platform.
  • Is combative with you or tries to divert your attention when you question their intentions.

Lastly, if your bank contacts you to express concern that you are being victimized, this is perhaps the most significant red flag that you are being targeted.

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