Romance and Investment Scam Education (R.I.S.E.) is an initiative of the Coalition Against Financial Crime dedicated to protecting seniors and other vulnerable populations from the devastating impacts of romance and investment fraud. Its launch session was held at the Elmhurst Public Library in Elmhurst, Illinois.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, over 64,000 people reported romance scams in 2023, with losses of $1.1 billion, and the FBI received 17,823 romance scam complaints with nearly $653 million in losses. Investment scams, including pig butchering schemes that lure victims into false crypto investments, were the costliest internet crime of 2023, with $4.6 billion in losses.

Through R.I.S.E., CAFC helped communities understand:

• How romance scams work and why most targets are over 55, many recently widowed or divorced
• Pig butchering and false crypto investment schemes
• How to spot these scams before falling victim
• The emotional and financial toll on victims, from loss of savings to loss of trust and isolation
• How to protect themselves and their loved ones

Romance and Investment Scam Education (R.I.S.E.) is part of CAFC’s long-term mission to combat financial crime, with more classes planned.