Kylee Dennis’s awareness of love scams came only after her mother became a victim. After being single for over two decades, her mother’s online correspondence with a man claiming to be “Donald,” a fictional businessman, began in late 2022. “Donald” claimed to be in Turkey for work, presenting a façade that puzzled Kylee when she discovered the relationship in January 2023. Disturbingly, the images used were stolen from a married real estate agent in California, including a photo of his daughter passed off as “Donald’s” child.
Despite her mum’s heartache, she was reluctant to admit any financial loss, showcasing the shame many victims feel. This spurred Kylee to create Two Face Investigations, focusing on uncovering romance scams on dating apps. She noted that victims often only suspect foul play after sending money. The sophistication of these scams has escalated with advanced techniques, including the use of AI and deepfakes, enabling scammers to craft convincing narratives.
Kylee stresses that victim-blaming perpetuates silence; many suffer in silence, fearing judgement. She encourages all victims to report their experiences to safeguard others, highlighting the vital need for awareness regarding red flags in online relationships, such as refusals to meet in person and urgent requests to move conversations to unregulated platforms.