How it's done: Tips for avoiding romance scams

A scammer creates a fake online identity to gain a victim's liking and trust, and create a false relationship built on affection. This is done to manipulate the victim into giving the scammer money, or access to financial accounts. — AP

Fraud comes in many forms, and one way scammers take advantage of people is through their loneliness.

Rebecca Lewis, a sales manager with Arvest Bank, said romance scams are a type of imposter scheme.