The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) offices across the United States are issuing warnings to remind those who engage in online dating and seek love on social media to be extra cautious as Valentine’s Day approaches, as romance scams continue to rise.
According to the FBI, in the lead up to and following Valentine’s Day, online romance scams, also known as trust fraud, have become more prevalent. Scammers use fake identities to gain the trust of victims, with the ultimate goal of stealing their money.
The agency stated that romance scam perpetrators often attempt to quickly build relationships by showering the other party with intense affection and attention. Some scammers may even propose marriage and plan to meet in person, all as part of a ploy to swindle money.
These scammers also come up with various excuses to avoid meeting in person, or falsely claim to live or work in other regions of the world or the country.
The FBI pointed out that when scammers ask victims for money, they often pretend it is for medical emergencies or unexpected accidents.
The FBI also warned that in these types of scams, artificial intelligence (AI) technology is increasingly being used, with scammers using AI tools to generate photos and correct language errors to enhance the credibility of their schemes.
Victims are often women over 40, widowed or divorced individuals, and people with disabilities.
According to FBI statistics, over 2,000 people reported falling victim to romance scams last year, collectively losing more than 112 million dollars.
FBI offices nationwide urge individuals to slow down, ask more questions, and never send money or share personal information, including banking details and social security numbers, with strangers or people they have only communicated with online.
If you encounter an online romance scam, you should immediately report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).