Protecting Missouri Seniors from Investment Scams
Investment fraud is the costliest scam type targeting American seniors, and Missouri is no exception. In 2025, 277 Missouri seniors aged 60 and older reported investment scam complaints to the FBI. With total elder fraud losses in the state reaching $91.6 million, protecting retirement savings has never been more critical.
Why Missouri Seniors Are Especially Vulnerable
Several factors unique to Missouri put seniors at heightened risk for investment fraud:
- 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
Investment scams targeting seniors often start with a friendly message on social media or a dating app, then gradually steer the conversation toward a “guaranteed” investment opportunity. Victims are directed to professional-looking but entirely fake trading platforms that show fabricated returns, encouraging them to invest more before the scammer disappears with everything.
5-Year Trend: Investment Scam Losses in Missouri (2021–2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Losses | YoY Change |
| 2021 | 21 | $674K | — |
| 2022 | 42 | $9.6M | +1321% |
| 2023 | 84 | $24.2M | +153% |
| 2024 | 181 | $18.3M | -25% |
| 2025 | 277 | $40.3M | +120% |
| 5-Year Total | 605 | $93.0M | +5875% |
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Reports, 2021–2025. Victims and losses for Missouri residents aged 60 and older.
Missouri ranks #21 nationally in investment scam losses targeting seniors, with $40.3 million lost in 2025 across 277 reported victims. That represents 1.2% of all U.S. investment scam losses against older adults. Year over year, losses surged +120% — significantly faster than the national average of +83%. Over the full five-year period, investment scam losses in Missouri grew +5875%.
Complete guide: For detailed warning signs, protection strategies, and what to do if you’ve been targeted, read our comprehensive Investment Scam Prevention Guide. You can also take our free Online Training courses to test your knowledge.
Report Investment Fraud in Missouri
- Office of the Missouri Attorney General: (573) 751-3321 | ago.mo.gov
- SEC: sec.gov/tcr
- FINRA: (844) 574-3577 | brokercheck.finra.org
- FBI IC3: ic3.gov
Free Training Available
Take our free online course to learn more about protecting yourself from investment scams:
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