Global scammers are using U.S. technology to run sophisticated romance fraud operations, trafficking victims into compounds where they are forced to trick people into sending money within just four days, according to an investigation by The Associated Press.
How the scam works
Victims are trafficked into compounds in countries like India, Myanmar, and Cambodia, where they are coerced into creating fake online identities. Using U.S.-based social media platforms, messaging apps, and payment systems, they target individuals—often older or lonely people—and build romantic relationships over a few days. Once trust is established, they fabricate emergencies to solicit money.
Safeer Mohammed Koorimannil, who was trafficked into scamming, described his experience from his office in Sulthan Bathery, Kerala, India. He was forced to work long hours in a compound, pretending to be a woman to lure victims. “I regret doing this,” he told the AP, but said he had no choice under threat of violence.
Scale and impact
The AP investigation found that these operations have defrauded victims of hundreds of millions of dollars. In 2023 alone, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission reported over $1.3 billion in losses to romance scams, a figure that experts say is likely underreported. The use of U.S. technology—including platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Venmo—makes it easy for scammers to reach targets globally.
“They use American tech to find victims and American payment systems to steal their money,” said a cybersecurity analyst quoted in the report. “It’s a multi-billion-dollar industry.”
Trafficking and coercion
Victims are often lured with promises of legitimate jobs, then forced into scamming at gunpoint. Koorimannil said he was beaten when he tried to refuse. The compounds are guarded, and workers are not allowed to leave. Many are from developing countries, but some U.S. citizens have also been trafficked.
Authorities in India have raided several compounds, but the operations often move quickly. “The scammers are always one step ahead,” said a police official in Kerala.
U.S. tech under scrutiny
The report highlights how U.S. companies have been slow to act. While platforms have policies against fraud, enforcement is weak. “They profit from the ads and transactions, even if they know it’s fraudulent,” said a former Facebook employee. The AP found that many scam accounts remain active for months.
In response, some U.S. lawmakers have called for stricter regulations. “We need to hold tech companies accountable,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren in a statement. “They are enabling a global crime wave.”
What victims can do
Experts advise people to be wary of online relationships that progress quickly and involve requests for money. Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person. If you suspect a scam, report it to the FTC and the platform. “The best defense is skepticism,” said the analyst. “If it feels too good to be true, it probably is.”
