The Guardian releases Season three, Episode three of its A Law Enforcement Podcast Tuesday, focusing on romance scams and the growing risks of online relationships. The episode, titled “Romance Scams: When Online Connections Become Costly,” features Starkville Police Chief Mark Ballard and Dr. Bekah Sparks discussing tactics criminals use to exploit trust.
Ballard and Dr. Sparks outline how cybercriminals build fake online relationships, use deception and emotional manipulation, and pressure victims into sending money or sharing sensitive information. The episode aims to give listeners a law enforcement and behavioral perspective on how these schemes operate.
Romance scams have become a notable threat as more people meet online through dating apps and social media. Experts generally advise skepticism of requests for money, verification of identities before sharing personal details, and reporting suspected fraud to local authorities or consumer protection agencies.
The episode will be available Tuesday on The Guardian as part of its ongoing series exploring life in a cyber world. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
Jon Ross Myers founded Mississippi News Group in 2013. Before founding the organization, he worked at The Daily Mississippian, The Marion Salute and The Southern Sentinel. A Mississippi journalist and writer based in Ripley, he received second place in poetry in the 2025 William Faulkner Literary Competition for "The Garden."
Stay connected
Mississippi, wherever you are.
Follow our coverage on Facebook and watch Mississippi News Group on YouTube.
