San Antonio Residents Lost $28 Million to Romance Scams in 2025

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According to the FBI's San Antonio division, residents of the San Antonio area lost $28 million to confidence and romance scams in 2025, a significant increase from the previous year. The majority of losses, $20.4 million, came from users in the Austin area, with nearly $19 million of that from people over 50 years old. The FBI is warning the public to be vigilant about online scams, which are becoming more sophisticated with the use of AI technology to create fraudulent profiles and messages.

Why it matters

Romance and confidence scams can have devastating financial and emotional impacts on victims. As these types of scams become more prevalent and advanced, it's crucial for the public to be aware of the warning signs in order to protect themselves from falling prey to these schemes.

The details

The FBI tracked 2,025 reports of confidence and romance scams to its Internet Crime Complaint Center in 2025. Confidence scams are schemes that aim to take advantage of a person's trust for financial gain, sometimes by cultivating a fraudulent online relationship. Concerns are growing about the use of AI technology to make these scams more sophisticated, allowing scammers to create realistic-looking profiles and messages.

• In 2025, San Antonio area residents lost $28 million to confidence and romance scams.
• In 2024, users in South Central Texas lost $15.8 million to these types of scams.

What’s next

The FBI is warning the public to be on the lookout for warning signs of romance scams, such as stolen photos, insistence on moving communication off dating apps, and pressure to share intimate photos. Anyone who suspects they may have fallen victim to a scam should disconnect from Wi-Fi, shut down their device, and file a police report.