A documentary titled "Scammed," a collaboration between FRONTLINE and The Associated Press, investigates the significant and growing problem of online scams. The series delves into how these fraudulent schemes are stealing billions of dollars globally and devastating victims' lives.
The investigation details the rise of a global criminal industry, examining the individuals and technological advancements that enable these scams. It also explores the challenges and ongoing efforts to dismantle these operations.
Online scams in the U.S. have reached record highs. Despite prior attempts by both the Trump administration and Congress to combat this issue, most victims, like Simon who lost $800,000 to a romance scam, find themselves with little to no recourse. Simon's experience highlights the lack of effective support for victims, as he was contacted by another scammer while trying to report his losses to law enforcement.
