Core Insights - The article highlights a significant scam operation disguised as a marriage and dating service, which has defrauded victims of approximately 1.8 billion yuan, with individual losses exceeding 1 million yuan in 14 cases [1][5]. Group 1: Scam Operation Details - The scam involved a criminal group that used emotional manipulation to gain victims' trust, ultimately leading them to invest in fraudulent financial products [5][9]. - Victims were often targeted based on their personal information, which the scammers acquired illegally, allowing them to create tailored personas to deceive individuals [6][9]. - The group operated with a structured hierarchy, where each member had specific roles, from selecting victims to laundering the stolen funds [7][9]. Group 2: Victim Experiences - One victim, identified as Ms. Li, was lured into investing 4.7 million yuan after being convinced by a supposed romantic partner to help manage an investment account [3][5]. - The scam's endgame involved the victims attempting to withdraw their funds, only to find the scammers had disappeared or blocked them [3][5]. Group 3: Law Enforcement Response - Law enforcement has identified 139 cases linked to this scam, with confirmed losses amounting to over 61 million yuan, and has arrested 88 suspects involved in the operation [9][10]. - Authorities have returned over 8 million yuan to victims, indicating ongoing efforts to recover lost funds and dismantle the criminal network [9][10]. Group 4: Prevention and Awareness - The article emphasizes the need for increased awareness regarding online dating and investment schemes, warning that offers of guaranteed returns or insider information are often fraudulent [9]. - It calls for platforms to enhance their security measures and take responsibility for preventing data leaks that facilitate such scams [9].