Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson has announced a new statewide initiative aimed at strengthening the state's response to romance scams and other forms of financial exploitation targeting older adults. The Romance Impostor Scams Forensic Initiative, expected to launch in mid-July, will use digital forensics and enhanced intelligence sharing to help identify scam networks, connect cases across jurisdictions, and support local law enforcement investigations.
As part of the initiative, the Attorney General's Office will establish a dedicated hotline for the public and law enforcement to report suspected romance scams. Information gathered through the hotline will help investigators with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation identify patterns and intervene more quickly. Additional details about the hotline and reporting process are expected in the coming weeks.
The announcement was made during the 2026 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Conference, where the Attorney General's Office also encouraged Ohioans to remain vigilant for signs of elder abuse and financial exploitation throughout Elder Abuse Awareness Month.