Protect Your Heart and Wallet: Romance Scams in Texas
Texas seniors lost $36,483,347 to romance scams in 2024. These devastating scams exploit loneliness and trust, targeting widows, widowers, and anyone seeking companionship.
Related: Every Hour, Another Texas Senior Loses $50,000 to Scammers
Why Texas Seniors Are Targeted
Texas’ demographics create unique romance scam vulnerabilities:
- Large widow/widower population: Many seniors lost spouses and seek companionship
- Geographic distances: Texas’ size means many seniors are far from family
- New retiree transplants: Seniors moving to Texas may lack local social networks
- Traditional values: Some seniors may be embarrassed to discuss online dating with family
- Wealth perception: Scammers target “rich Texans” expecting larger payoffs
Texas-Specific Romance Scam Patterns
The “Texas Oilman”: Scammer poses as wealthy oil executive or rancher, eventually requesting money for “drilling emergencies” or “cattle problems.”
The “Military at Fort Hood/Fort Bliss”: Fake military persona claims to be stationed at Texas base, requests money for “leave travel” or “deployment equipment.”
The “Dallas Business Executive”: Scammer claims successful Dallas business, builds relationship before requesting “short-term loan” for fake business crisis.
Spanish-Language Romance Scams: Targeting Hispanic seniors specifically with culturally-tailored personas and Spanish communication.
The Romance Scam Timeline
Week 1-2: First contact with compliments and attention
Week 2-4: Intense communication, expressions of love
Week 4-8: Trust building, excuses for not meeting in person
Week 8+: Crisis and request for money
Warning Signs of a Romance Scam
- Falls in love very quickly
- Cannot meet in person – always excuses (oil rig, military deployment, business travel)
- Asks for money for any reason
- Profile seems too perfect
- Wants to move off dating platform quickly
- Requests wire transfers or gift cards
Step-by-Step: How to Verify Someone Online
Step 1: Reverse Image Search
- Save their profile photo
- Go to images.google.com
- Upload the photo
- If it appears elsewhere with different names – it is stolen
Step 2: Video Call Test
- Insist on live video calls
- Watch for unnatural movements (could be deepfake AI)
- If they always have “technical problems” – be suspicious
Step 3: The Golden Rule
Never send money to someone you have not met in person.
Texas Support Resources for Romance Scam Victims
- Texas 211: Dial 211 for counseling and support group referrals
- Houston Area Agency on Aging: (832) 393-4301
- Alamo Area AAA (San Antonio): (210) 477-3275
- National Elder Fraud Hotline: (833) 372-8311
- Texas Crime Victims’ Compensation: (800) 983-9933
Report Romance Scams
- FBI IC3: ic3.gov
- FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Texas Attorney General: (800) 621-0508
Free Training Available
Start Free Training: Module 5 – Romance Scams