Scrolling social media can be an enjoyable way to connect with the world, but it can also be a gateway to heartbreak and financial ruin.

As more people go online to seek romantic relationships, and transferring money has gotten easier and less traceable, an increasing number across the country — particularly older people — have fallen victim to fake romance schemes.

As AI blurs the line between what's real and what's not, the lonely and the vulnerable are getting increasingly targeted online by scammers. As a result, the loneliness epidemic now threatens to become a security crisis.