IRS Criminal Investigation Atlanta Field Office officials use Valentine’s Day to highlight romance fraud
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Special to the News
On Feb. 14, people around the world will celebrate Valentine’s Day as a time to express romantic feelings and appreciation for loved ones.
For the special agents at the IRS Criminal Investigation Atlanta Field Office, Valentine’s Day is also a time to remind people to look out for criminals who take advantage of others by using love to commit scams.
Romance fraud has become one of the most emotionally devastating financial crimes, often targeting older Americans and individuals seeking connection.
“A victim of a romance scam is not only harmed financially, but emotionally, as well,” said Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “The feeling of embarrassment and shame usually cause victims to delay reporting the crime.”
During FY25, the number of cases initiated by IRS-CI involving romance fraud more than tripled from the previous fiscal year. Over the last three fiscal years, IRS-CI has maintained a 100 percent conviction rate with defendants on average sentenced to more than four years in federal prison.
Romance fraud intersects money laundering, wire fraud, cryptocurrency misuse, and transnational criminal organizations, which are all investigated by IRS-CI.
“Unfortunately, victims of romance fraud may lose their life savings or retirement funds through various scams,” Hardeman said.
One of many methods criminals use in romance scams is creating fake online profiles on social media platforms and dating websites to build phony emotional attachments until the victim is comfortable sending them money.
Another involves pressuring victims into sending compromising photos, then using them for blackmail by threatening to expose them.
People can protect themselves from romance scams by following these tips:
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Don’t send money, cryptocurrency, or gift cards to someone you haven’t met.
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Don’t feel pressured to make rash financial decisions.
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Verify identities through independent, trusted sources. If something feels off, it probably is.
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Report suspicious information or activity to IRS-CI or local law enforcement.
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Be careful what you post and make public online. Scammers can use details shared on social media and dating sites to better understand and target you.
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Beware if the individual attempts to isolate you from friends and family or requests inappropriate photos or financial information that could later be used to extort you.
For people age 60 or older who are victims of financial fraud, they can call for help through the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).
Cases that IRS-CI Atlanta Field Office investigated involving romance scams are:
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Atlanta man sentenced to 150 months in prison for fraud schemes: Thomas Addaquay of Atlanta, Ga., was sentenced on Feb. 11, 2025, to a combined term of imprisonment of 12 years and six months, followed by three years of supervised release, following his conviction of 30 felonies related to two nationwide fraud schemes involving tax refund, business email compromise, and romance fraud scams. Addaquay was also ordered to pay more than $7 million in restitution.
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Man sentenced for laundering over $4.5m obtained from business email compromise, romance fraud schemes: Malachi Mullings of Sandy Springs, Ga., was sentenced on May 21, 2024, to 10 years in prison for laundering more than $4.5 million derived from business email compromise schemes, including a scheme that defrauded a health care benefit program, and romance fraud schemes. Mullings obtained $260,000 from a romance scam, which he used to purchase a Ferrari.
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