From Victim to Vigilante: Netflix’s ‘Love Con Revenge’ Exposes the Dark World of Romance Fraud
Netflix’s new docuseries follows a “Tinder Swindler” survivor and a private investigator as they track down romance scammers, uncovering billion-dollar losses and the fight for justice.
When Twenty Twenty Productions Limited set out to create Love Con Revenge, they aimed to flip the script on true-crime storytelling. Directed by Max Shapira and premiering on Netflix September 5, 2025, the six-episode series shifts the spotlight from the scammers to the survivors, and the relentless pursuit of justice.
At the heart of the series is Cecilie Fjellhøy, known globally for her role in exposing “The Tinder Swindler.” This time, she steps into a new role, ally, advocate, and investigator, partnering with Brianne Joseph, a seasoned private investigator who specializes in tracking fraudsters online. Together, they unravel the tactics of con artists preying on emotional vulnerability.
The trailer for Love Con Revenge offers a raw glimpse into the scale of this crime. Viewers meet victims who’ve lost staggering sums, figures like $150,000 in personal savings, or millions in accumulated debt, highlighting just how devastating romance scams can be. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost $1.14 billion to romance fraud in 2023 alone, with median losses of $2,000 per person.
Unlike other true-crime shows that glamorize the perpetrators, this series focuses squarely on those who fight back. Joseph’s investigative work takes her from digital breadcrumbs to real-world confrontations, while Fjellhøy leverages her platform to rally public awareness and empower other survivors to come forward.
One of the compelling cases featured involves Jill Shardine, who introduces herself in the trailer as both “Cecilia” and “Jill,” clearing up a transcript discrepancy. Her story underscores the psychological toll of these scams, which often leave victims grappling with shame, isolation, and financial ruin.
Beyond its gripping personal narratives, Love Con Revenge positions itself as a cautionary tale for the digital age. The series underscores how online dating and social media, while offering unprecedented connectivity, have also created fertile ground for sophisticated fraud schemes that cross borders with ease.
With Shapira’s cinematic direction, Chris McLaughlin’s guiding hand as showrunner, and Ruth Kelly as executive producer, the docuseries blends emotional depth with investigative intensity. For Netflix, it’s another step into socially relevant true-crime programming that aims to inform as much as it entertains.
