Protecting California Seniors from Romance Scams
Romance scams are among the most emotionally devastating forms of fraud targeting older adults. In 2025, 1,173 California 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 California Seniors Are Especially Vulnerable
California’s demographics and culture create specific risk factors for romance scams:
- Largest senior population: California has over 6 million residents aged 65+, giving scammers the largest target pool in the nation
- Extreme wealth concentration: Silicon Valley, Hollywood, and coastal real estate create high-value retirees who are prime targets for investment and tech support scams
- Diverse immigrant communities: California’s large immigrant senior population faces language barriers and is targeted with scams in Mandarin, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Korean
- Wildfire and disaster vulnerability: Seniors in fire-prone areas are targeted by scammers posing as FEMA, insurance adjusters, and disaster relief organizations
- Tech industry false confidence: Proximity to Silicon Valley gives some seniors overconfidence in their tech savvy, making them less cautious with suspicious links and popups
5-Year Trend: Romance Scam Losses in California (2021–2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Losses | YoY Change |
| 2021 | 877 | $73.5M | — |
| 2022 | 822 | $87.3M | +19% |
| 2023 | 786 | $45.2M | -48% |
| 2024 | 1,013 | $50.7M | +12% |
| 2025 | 1,173 | $100.9M | +99% |
| 5-Year Total | 4,671 | $357.6M | +37% |
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Reports, 2021–2025. Victims and losses for California residents aged 60 and older.
California ranks #1 nationally in romance scam losses targeting seniors, with $100.9 million lost in 2025 across 1,173 reported victims. That represents 16.6% of all U.S. romance scam losses against older adults. Year over year, losses surged +99% — significantly faster than the national average of +46%. Over the full five-year period, romance scam losses in California grew +37%.
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 California
- Office of the California Attorney General: (916) 445-9555 | oag.ca.gov
- California Adult Protective Services: (833) 401-0832
- 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)