Loss of money due to a love romance scam

[NateTheGrEAt]

Hi @Mladago  - thanks for your question. Sorry to hear about that! 

In general, after 2018 the tax laws do not permit a deduction for any casualty or theft loss that is not part of a federally declared disaster (such as a hurricane, wildfire, tornado, flood, etc.) Since a romance scam is not part of a federally declared disaster, there is no deduction available for a casualty or theft loss. 

However, you didn't give much detail on exactly how the scam took place, so I do want to mention one other possibility. If the scam falls into the definition of a Ponzi scheme, there may be an alternative way to claim the losses. This IRS page gives some information about Ponzi losses. The reason these situations are treated differently is that a Ponzi scheme is a transaction entered into for profit, not a personal gift. 

I hope this information is helpful.