Financial scams are nothing new, but romance fraud — where con artists use fake personas to gain someone’s love and trust in order to steal their money — has been on the rise in recent years, especially with the popularization of dating apps. In the series Love Con Revenge, former romance fraud victim Cecilie Fjellhøy teams up with private investigator Brianne Joseph to delve into real schemes on behalf of women and men who can’t find help through traditional avenues. Fjellhøy’s own experience with a notorious romance scammer was featured in the 2022 documentary The Tinder Swindler. Now she and Joseph are on a mission to unmask scammers and help victims take back control.
“I never imagined my personal story would resonate the way it has,” Fjellhøy told Netflix. “Since The Tinder Swindler, I’ve heard from people all over the world who’ve been targeted by criminals hiding behind love. Love Con Revenge is a way for me to use what I’ve learned to help others heal, reclaim their voices, their power, and their lives.”
For more on the journeys of the romance fraud victims and perpetrators featured in Love Con Revenge, head over to our interview with Fjellhøy and Joseph.
Here’s everything to know about Love Con Revenge.
Romance fraud occurs when scammers create fake relationships to gain the trust of their victims and ultimately steal money or personal information. These schemes often begin online and can be difficult to detect until significant harm has been done. Reports indicate that such crimes have cost Americans over $1 billion annually.
For more on the warning signs and legal landscape of romance fraud — including Fjellhøy and Joseph’s reflections on common tactics and ways to stay safe — see their insights here.
The six-episode series premiered on Sept. 5.
For a glimpse into Fjellhøy and Joseph’s mission to track down romance scammers, check out the trailer at the top of the page.
Love Con Revenge is a production of Twenty Twenty Productions Limited, with Ruth Kelly as executive producer, Chris McLaughlin as showrunner, and Max Shapira as series director. James O’Reilly is the series’ creative director.
“Love Con Revenge uncovers the jaw-dropping scale of romance fraud — and the emotional and financial toll it takes on victims,” O’Reilly told Netflix. “This is a truly modern crime that is exploding in the United States and around the world. It’s been incredible to follow Cecilie and Brianne as they investigate these cases — to bring justice to the victims, and hold the perpetrators to account who’ve gotten away with this for far too long.”
Love Con Revenge is now streaming on Netflix.
A gripping, emotional investigative series, Love Con Revenge blends suspenseful true crime storytelling with real-life empowerment. The series is investigative, provocative, and empathetic — balancing the tension of uncovering fraud with the personal journeys of those affected.
