Which of the following is listed as a common con scheme?

• A. Romance
• B. Identity theft
• C. Phishing
• D. Embezzlement

Answer: (A)

Romance scams are listed as a common con scheme because they rely on social engineering that targets a person’s emotions. Fraudsters pose as potential romantic partners on dating sites or social media, build trust, and then create urgent stories or needs to persuade the victim to send money or valuables. This emotionally manipulative approach is widely documented in AML training and fraud reports, making it one of the most recognizable and frequently encountered con schemes. In contrast, identity theft is the outcome of stealing information, phishing is a tactic used across many schemes, and embezzlement is an internal fraud within an organization. The distinctive element of romance scams is the deliberate manipulation of trust for financial gain.