IF WE CAN HAVE A BANNER WARNING ABOUT SCAMMERS...SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS CAN TOO!
AARS PROVIDES GUIDES!
AARS would like to thank Black River Country Bank in Jackson County for contacting us and requesting our informational guides (our Anti-Romance Scam Guide and our After the Scam Guide) to help spread awareness during their talk on scams at the Jackson County 1st Annual Senior Health Fair! So glad we could help contribute!
United Nations Expert Group Meeting on Organized Fraud
On March 3-6, the United Nations hosted an expert group meeting in Austria on organized crime. AARS' Executive Director, Kathy Waters, was invited and attended via video conference along with 28 other field experts. Kathy represented those victimized by organized crime groups through online romance scams, that, to this day, conduct their criminal activity on all social media platforms. The meeting reviewed a formal paper speaking of the different types of organized crime and how the nations can come together universally to combat these crimes. The final paper will be presented during the UNTOC Conference in October.
FBI/Match Group Conference
On July 17, 2023, the FBI and Match Group held a "boots on the ground" conference that consisted of law enforcement (national and international), crypto companies, FTC, DOJ, and many more, including ARS, who not only spoke on behalf of victim advocacy but showed support for World Romance Scam Prevention Day!
MEETINGS IN D.C.
So many great things to report during our latest visit to D.C. Meetings were on March 22, 23 2023. We met with 4 congressional offices, ACCO team, the Unit Cheif of the IC3, attended a hearing to support a fellow ACCO member, and much more!
AARS ON: THE EASY PREY PODCAST
"Online dating has become more complicated than ever. Learning how to verify that the person you’re talking to is actually the person in the dating profile can save you from heartbreak and financial loss." -Easy Prey
Air Date: 11/30/2022
WELCOME OUR "NEWEST" BOARD MEMBER!
Jan Hart is a founding board member of A.A.R.S.! After a short break to help build up the company she works for, Jan took a promotion and is now ready to get back into the advocacy fight (even though she really never left)! Check out her bio below at "Meet the Board"! We are thrilled to have Jan back!
FOLLOW UP TO THE INFRAGARD WEBINAR
Participating in the webinar was an honor, and we are thankful for the opportunity to share what we do and why we do it!
WEBINAR ON ROMANCE SCAMS WITH INFRAGARD, IC3, FBI AND AARS
Join us at the webinar September 23, 2022 at 1:00PM ET "Protecting Yourself Against Romance Scams A case Study & Resources
NEW ON AARS! THE INNOCENT FACES USED IN ROMANCE SCAMS!
You can now find AARS Library of stolen images under the "Stolen Images Library" or click the link below! There are multiple pages to look through.
HELPING ONCE AGAIN TO SPREAD EDUCATION ON ROMANCE SCAMS
AARS had a wonderful opportunity to be a part of the docu-series Devil In The Web, and help tell the story of romance scams. AARS's Co-founder and Executive Director Kathy Waters helped bring the dark scam to light. The episode based on the romance scams can be seen during the 5th episode (season finale), aired on June 23, 2022.
Introducing our Newest Board Member
AARS would like to welcome our newest board member Daniel Herrold. Daniel is a strong advocate in the world of online dating. Daniel Herrold is one of the Co-Founders of Divorced Over Forty (“DO40”), a group created for divorced men & women across the world aged 40+. Being at the forefront of the online dating community, Daniel understands the need for safer platforms and the necessity to educate all online users. One of the focuses is online romance scammers. Daniel is also the founder of Intentional Dating Club, an online dating community created that provides techniques & tips on how to create a safer and more positive dating experience. Do you see how we are a great fit! You can find Daniel most prominently on Instagram at @daniel.herrold or on TikTok at @danielherrold.
Meeting with Senator Blackburns Staff
On 12/2/2021 at 1:00 pm PST, AARS had a virtual meeting with Senator Marsha Blackburns, National Security Advisor, and Policy Advisor on the topic of romance scams. We were able to share the number of victims from Tennessee and the monies that left their state. The staff also shared with us how Senator Blackburn had recently been a victim of identity theft by erroneous use of her photos. The scammers used pictures of the Senator and her family as well. The office agrees that laws need to change, and we were thankful for us sharing our work and story with them. The Advisors also confirmed that they are talking to another Senator's office regarding new policies.
We also mentioned our relationship with Rep. Kinzinger's office and the two bills he has presented to the appropriate committees on behalf of cyber safety: H.R. 4654 and H.R.4653. They were aware.As for follow-ups, we extended our assistance concerning research, stories, anything that can help spread awareness on romance scams. We also mentioned our partnership with Alliance to Counter Crimes Online (ACCO) and how we work as a team to provide awareness and education on platform safety from all areas of different cybercrimes.
Overall the meeting was well received and promising for future movement on new bills or amendments that benefit cyber safety! It's good to hear and know the lawmakers are listening! Thank you to Senator Blackburn's staff for their time and understanding with this matter!
THE NEWEST REPORT IS OUT!
AARS's latest report showing the crimes happening online and the lack of security by the platforms to keep users safe. Including snap shots of the online crimes, emails from Facebook to AARS and the disappointing reporting results based on Facebook and YouTubes community standards.
HERE'S TO JUSTICE!
Prior to his retirement, AARS Board Member/Retired FBI Agent, Roger Campbell, was one of the lead investigators in the arrest of alleged romance scammer Richard Dorpe. Mr. Dorpe was found guilty and recently sentenced to 40 month in prison for wire fraud. Click the link to read the story from 10 Wavy.com
OXYGEN'S 'DARK WEB EXPOSED'
Our initial report to Instagram. Showing the expected findings, and wrongful take downs.
Completed February 2, 2021
Public February 11, 2021
OXYGEN'S 'DARK WEB EXPOSED'
AARS was proud to be a part of this incredible episode for Oxygen "Dark Web Exposed'. Learn about the Romance scams and the emotional and psychological effects of the cybercrime.
A POINT FOR THE GOOD GUYS!!
Prior to his retirement, AARS Board Member/Retired FBI Agent, Roger Campbell, was one of the lead investigators in the arrest of alleged romance scammer Richard Dorpe. We will continue to provide updates to this story! Click the link to read the story from CBS, Channel 3 WTKR, Coastal Va.
SHOUT OUT IN TIME!
What a fascinating article by Andrew Chow about online shopping scams, with a nice shoutout to AARS and the work we are doing to help prevent romance scams online.
THE "LOVE" OF THE ARTS
AARS partnered up with ARA to help spread awareness on the issue of impersonating on platforms/identity theft. See how they are working together to combat the online crime issue.
BIG TECH MEETING
On October 28th 10:00am EST. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transporataion will be holding a hearing focusing on Big Tech and Section 230 of the Communication Decency Act. AARS Sent a letter on behalf of change needed along with 50 victim letters stating the same!
AARS IS NOW ON TIKTOK!
You can now find AARS on TikTok with educational and factual information! Come follow us!
AARS's OP-ED IS OUT!
We are excited for you to read our Op-Ed and learn more about our work and reason we are honored to be the voice for so many!
AARS'S TAG LINE
You don’t know the people you only know online. Don’t give money to strangers!