Bill proposed to combat romance scams on dating platforms

Several victims of romance scams are urging Congress to take action against the issue. Senators Marsha Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee, and John Hickenlooper, a Democrat from Colorado, have introduced a new bill. The proposed law would require dating apps and social media platforms to flag or remove scammers. It would also mandate that users are notified if they interact with potentially fraudulent accounts. Beth Hyland is one of the victims who shared her story in support of the bill. After her divorce, the 54-year-old decided to try dating again and met a man named "Richard" online, who claimed to be a project manager. Their relationship quickly escalated, leading to requests for financial help from "Richard" when he said his bank account was locked. Hyland ultimately sent $26,000 in loans using bitcoin to "Richard." However, he continued to ask for more money, citing an activation fee to access a supposed payout. It wasn't until she spoke with her financial adviser that Hyland learned she had fallen victim to a romance scam. "Richard" turned out to be a Nigerian scammer. Hyland expressed her embarrassment but was encouraged to speak out. She attended a Senate hearing to share her experience, and Blackburn highlighted her bravery. The proposed legislation has bipartisan support, but there are concerns about its potential to get stuck in Congress. Journalist April Helm also highlighted the dangers of romance scams, sharing the tragic story of how her mother lost a significant amount of money and ultimately her life due to similar tactics. Helm has since created a podcast to raise awareness about these scams. Both women emphasized the importance of advocating for victims and sharing their stories to prevent others from falling prey to such scams. They hope that new regulations can help protect individuals in the online dating world.