Protecting Missouri Seniors from Romance Scams
Romance scams are among the most emotionally devastating forms of fraud targeting older adults. In 2025, 259 Missouri seniors reported romance scam complaints to the FBI. These scams exploit loneliness and the desire for connection, draining victims of their savings while leaving deep emotional wounds.
Why Missouri Seniors Are Especially Vulnerable
Missouri’s demographics and culture create specific risk factors for romance scams:
- Urban-rural divide: While Kansas City and St. Louis have resources, much of rural Missouri lacks in-person tech support and consumer protection services
- Midwestern trust: Missouri’s “Show-Me” state culture paradoxically includes strong community trust that scammers exploit
- Large retiree population: Missouri’s affordable cost of living attracts retirees, concentrating seniors that scammers target
- Military communities: Fort Leonard Wood and Whiteman Air Force Base bring military retirees targeted by VA impersonation scams
- River community isolation: Communities along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers face geographic isolation that limits access to services
What This Scam Looks Like
Romance scammers invest weeks or months building emotional trust before asking for money. They create detailed fake identities, often posing as military personnel, doctors, or engineers working overseas. AI now enables scammers to generate unique profile photos that pass reverse image searches and even conduct deepfake video calls to “prove” their identity.
5-Year Trend: Romance Scam Losses in Missouri (2021–2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Losses | YoY Change |
| 2021 | 153 | $5.2M | — |
| 2022 | 131 | $3.8M | -28% |
| 2023 | 159 | $5.7M | +50% |
| 2024 | 206 | $9.7M | +71% |
| 2025 | 259 | $13.7M | +41% |
| 5-Year Total | 908 | $38.0M | +161% |
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Reports, 2021–2025. Victims and losses for Missouri residents aged 60 and older.
Missouri ranks #13 nationally in romance scam losses targeting seniors, with $13.7 million lost in 2025 across 259 reported victims. That represents 2.2% of all U.S. romance scam losses against older adults. Year over year, losses changed +41% (national average: +46%). Over the full five-year period, romance scam losses in Missouri grew +161%.
Complete guide: For detailed warning signs, protection strategies, and what to do if you’ve been targeted, read our comprehensive Romance Scam Prevention Guide. You can also take our free Online Training courses to test your knowledge.
Report Romance Scams in Missouri
- Office of the Missouri Attorney General: (573) 751-3321 | ago.mo.gov
- Missouri Adult Protective Services: (800) 392-0210
- FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- FBI IC3: ic3.gov
- Dating platform: Report the profile on the platform where you were contacted
Free Training Available
Take our free online course to learn more about protecting yourself from romance scams:
→ Start Romance Scam Awareness Training (Module 4)