Romance scammers are bilking Americans out of $1.3 billion a year

Romance scams are booming and costing Americans billions, and they often start on Facebook or Instagram.

iStock; Robyn Phelps/Insider

How digital grifters are bilking the lonely out of $1.3 billion a year

Kate Kleinert was home by herself one day in summer 2020 when she received a friend request from an attractive stranger on Facebook. He introduced himself as Tony, a Norwegian physician stationed in Iraq. 

Kate, who is 69, often received friend requests from single men. They usually fell in the same category...