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eldoradospringsmo.com
· 2026-02-19
# Romance Scams: What You Need to Know
Romance scammers create fake dating profiles to build trust with victims over weeks or months, then exploit that relationship by asking for money or pushing cryptocurrency investments. Scammers are increasingly using AI tools to generate convincing conversations and realistic fake profiles, while also combining romance scams with investment schemes to steal thousands of dollars from victims. To protect yourself, be cautious of anyone who asks for money or personal information, makes excuses to avoid meeting in person, or seems unrealistically perfect—legitimate partners will be willing to meet face-to-face and won't pressure you for financial commitments.
newsday.com
· 2026-02-19
"Pig butchering" scams are sophisticated fraud schemes where criminals build trust with victims through fake personal or romantic relationships before convincing them to invest money in fraudulent schemes, often resulting in devastating financial losses. New York's Attorney General is warning residents about these scams, which have caused nearly $75 billion in global losses between 2020 and 2024 and can target anyone, not just seniors. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited contact from strangers on social media or dating apps, especially those who quickly suggest financial opportunities, and contact authorities if you suspect you've been targeted.
tbrnewsmedia.com
· 2026-02-19
New York Attorney General Letitia James warned New Yorkers about "pig butchering" scams, where fraudsters build fake relationships with victims through social media and dating apps before pressuring them to invest money in fraudulent cryptocurrency or currency schemes. The scammers use fake screenshots and fake wealth displays to gain trust, then transition conversations to encrypted messaging apps to hide their identities before stealing victims' savings. New Yorkers are urged to remain vigilant, verify investment opportunities independently, and report suspected scams to the Attorney General's office or the platforms where they occur.
fingerlakes1.com
· 2026-02-19
New York's Attorney General is warning residents about "pig butchering" scams, where fraudsters build fake relationships with victims over weeks or months on social media and dating apps before convincing them to invest in fake cryptocurrency or currency trading schemes. The scammers use fake screenshots, fraudulent websites, and fabricated account statements showing profits to gain trust, then disappear with victims' money when they try to withdraw funds. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities from new online contacts, verify investment opportunities through official channels, and report suspected scams to the Attorney General's office immediately.
poststar.com
· 2026-02-19
New York Attorney General Letitia James has warned residents about "pig butchering" scams, where fraudsters pose as friends online to gain trust before tricking victims into making fake investments. These scams have affected New Yorkers who lost money after being manipulated by scammers posing as romantic interests or friends. To protect yourself, avoid making investments based on unsolicited online relationships, verify investment opportunities independently, and report suspicious activity to the Attorney General's office and the platform where contact occurred.
ksat.com
· 2026-02-19
A San Antonio CEO named Devin Ward Elder pleaded guilty to defrauding approximately 345 investors of $69.5 million between January 2023 and March 2025 through his investment firm, which promised high returns on real estate projects but operated as a Ponzi scheme, using new investor funds to pay returns on other projects. Investors received only $8.8 million back, much of which came from other people's money rather than actual investment gains, and Elder faces up to 20 years in prison. To protect yourself, be skeptical of investment offers promising guaranteed high returns with minimal risk, verify that firms are properly registered with regulators, and never invest based solely on promises of personal co-investment from the manager.
kens5.com
· 2026-02-19
A San Antonio CEO named Devin Ward Elder pleaded guilty to wire fraud after defrauding approximately 345 investors of $69.5 million through a real estate investment scheme between 2023 and 2025. Elder used a Ponzi scheme tactic, paying early investors with money from new investors while falsely promising high returns with low risk and claiming he would invest his own funds alongside theirs. To protect yourself from similar schemes, be wary of investment offers promising unusually high returns with minimal risk, verify that fund sources are legitimate and transparent, and research investment managers thoroughly before committing money.
yahoo.com
· 2026-02-19
A San Antonio CEO named Devin Ward Elder pleaded guilty to defrauding approximately 345 investors of $69.5 million through a fake real estate investment scheme between 2023 and 2025. Elder promised high returns with low risk while using a Ponzi scheme tactic—paying some investors with money from other investors rather than legitimate profits—before abruptly stopping payments in March 2025 and informing investors their money was lost. To protect yourself, be cautious of investment opportunities promising unrealistically high returns with minimal risk, verify that fund managers actually co-invest their own money, and independently verify that payments come from actual project profits rather than new investor funds.
kdhnews.com
· 2026-02-19
A San Antonio man pleaded guilty to operating a $69.5 million investment fraud scheme that defrauded approximately 345 investors between 2023 and 2025 through his company, DJE Texas Management Group, LLC, by falsely promising high returns and low-risk real estate investments while using a Ponzi-like structure to pay earlier investors with funds from new ones. The perpetrator, Devin Ward Elder, faces up to 20 years in prison and has been charged with wire fraud. To protect yourself, be cautious of investment promises guaranteeing high returns with minimal risk and always verify that investment firms and their operators are legitimately registered and have transparent, auditable financial records.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-02-19
Financial scams cost Americans at least $10 billion in 2023, with losses among older Americans surging from $600 million in 2020 to $2.4 billion in 2024, often involving large sums stolen through sophisticated schemes like the case of Marjorie Kessler, who lost over $2 million after being tricked into converting her retirement savings to gold and cryptocurrency. While the UN emphasizes that preventing scams requires strong legal and regulatory systems, American institutions like FINRA—which oversees brokerages holding most people's retirement savings—have failed to meaningfully address the epidemic. To protect yourself, be extremely skeptical of unsolicited requests to move funds or convert savings into alternative assets, verify requests directly with your financial institution through official channels, and report suspected scams to the FTC immediately.
thehill.com
· 2026-02-19
Americans lost at least $10 billion to scams in 2023, with losses among older adults particularly devastating—jumping from $600 million in 2020 to $2.4 billion in 2024. One victim, Marjorie Kessler, was tricked into withdrawing over $2 million from her retirement savings under the false pretense that the U.S. Treasury needed to safeguard it, though she recovered only a portion. Experts and the United Nations emphasize that preventing these crimes requires stronger legal and regulatory systems rather than relying on individuals to protect themselves, particularly through oversight of financial institutions like FINRA that hold most Americans' retirement savings.
ag.ny.gov
· 2026-02-18
# Pig Butchering Scam Alert
New York's Attorney General is warning residents about "pig butchering" scams, where fraudsters build fake relationships with victims through social media and dating apps before convincing them to invest money in fraudulent schemes, often involving cryptocurrency. The scammers gain trust over time by posing as romantic partners or financial advisors, use encrypted messaging to hide their identity, and show fake screenshots of profits to seem legitimate. To protect yourself, remain cautious of unsolicited contacts offering investment opportunities, verify relationships before sharing financial information, and report any suspected scams to the Attorney General's office or the relevant platform.
lifehealth.com
· 2026-02-18
# Tax Season Scam Alert Summary
During tax season, scammers are targeting both individual taxpayers and businesses with increasingly sophisticated schemes including fake social media tax advice, romance scams, phishing emails, cryptocurrency "pig butchering" schemes, and scams targeting tax professionals. Frost Law urges people to verify tax information only through official sources like the IRS, Federal Trade Commission, and local law enforcement, and to be especially cautious of unsolicited communications asking for money or personal information. If you become a victim, seek help from legal professionals or report the scam to official government agencies rather than handling it alone.
evrimagaci.org
· 2026-02-18
In February 2026, cybercriminals launched a sophisticated global wave of scams combining phishing emails, text messages, and traditional mail to steal sensitive information from individuals and businesses. A particularly alarming campaign weaponized the XWorm Remote Access Trojan through deceptive emails mimicking purchase orders or shipments, which tricked users into opening malicious Excel files that exploited a decade-old Microsoft vulnerability to give attackers complete control of victims' computers. To protect yourself, experts urge vigilance by being skeptical of unexpected emails requesting file downloads, keeping software updated, and using multi-factor authentication on important accounts.
wwnytv.com
· 2026-02-18
New York's Attorney General has warned residents about "pig butchering" scams, where fraudsters build fake relationships with victims through social media, dating apps, and text messages before convincing them to invest money in fake cryptocurrency or forex trading schemes. The scammers use fake screenshots, fabricated success stories, and counterfeit investment websites to trick victims into depositing their savings, sometimes causing severe financial damage. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited contact offering investment opportunities, verify any investment advisor's credentials through official channels, and never send money to people you only know online—especially if they pressure you to use encrypted messaging apps.
americanbanker.com
· 2026-02-18
New York's Attorney General warned residents about "pig butchering" scams, where fraudsters create fake romantic or professional relationships on social media and dating apps to trick victims into investing in fake cryptocurrency platforms that disappear with their money. The scams are particularly damaging because victims often fall for follow-up "recovery" schemes where new fraudsters promise to return lost funds for a fee, resulting in additional losses. To protect yourself, avoid sending money or cryptocurrency to online strangers, thoroughly research anyone soliciting investments, and watch for red flags like pressure to use encrypted messaging or unfamiliar trading platforms.
decripto.org
· 2026-02-18
Retail customers are increasingly falling victim to sophisticated digital scams like romance scams and "pig butchering," which use emotional manipulation and social engineering to erode victims' rational judgment and convince them to willingly authorize fraudulent transactions. These scams are no longer isolated incidents but a structural trend affecting financial system stability, making them difficult to detect through traditional anti-fraud systems since victims believe they're acting in their own interest. Banks and financial institutions are being forced to rethink their fraud prevention strategies, with customer awareness and education emerging as critical protective measures against these emotionally-manipulative schemes.
kunm.org
· 2026-02-17
Romance scammers using fake online identities have stolen $3.8 million from New Mexicans in the past year, with increasingly sophisticated methods enhanced by AI technology. These criminals emotionally manipulate victims to gain access to their savings, posing as romantic partners through dating apps and online platforms. To protect yourself, be cautious of online suitors who seem too perfect, watch for requests for money or cryptocurrency investments, and verify identities through video calls before sharing personal or financial information.
rnz.co.nz
· 2026-02-17
A 44-year-old Auckland woman has been arrested and charged with defrauding a Dunedin man of over $517,000 through an 18-year romance scam—a rare case since most romance scams are typically perpetrated by offshore criminals. The scheme involved the victim sending money to someone he believed he was in a romantic relationship with but never met in person. Police advise people to be extremely cautious about online relationships and investments, as romance scams almost always begin with online contact where victims are convinced to send money without ever meeting the person face-to-face.
nzherald.co.nz
· 2026-02-17
An Auckland woman has been charged with defrauding a Dunedin man of over $517,000 in an alleged 18-year romance scam—a rare case of a local perpetrator, as such scams are typically run by offshore criminal networks. The victim was convinced to send money to someone he believed he was in a romantic relationship with online, despite never meeting them in person. Police advise people to be highly skeptical of online romantic relationships, friendships, and investment opportunities, as these are common tactics used to exploit victims, and warn that offshore scammers are nearly impossible to prosecute.
decripto.org
· 2026-02-17
A 20-year prison sentence was handed down to Daren Li for operating an international money laundering network that laundered $74 million through "pig butchering" crypto scams, a widespread fraud scheme where scammers pose as investment experts on messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram to build trust with victims before directing them to fake trading platforms that falsely show profits. Li fled before his sentencing in December 2024 and remains a fugitive, highlighting the global nature of this crime. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited investment advice from strangers on social media, verify that trading platforms are legitimate through official channels, and never deposit money based on promises of guaranteed returns.
nationaltoday.com
· 2026-02-16
Scammers in Los Angeles are using AI-generated photos, videos, and voice messages to create convincing fake romantic relationships and manipulate victims into investing in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes, particularly around Valentine's Day. These "pig butchering" operations are significantly more profitable than traditional romance scams and cost victims billions of dollars globally. To protect yourself, authorities recommend verifying the identities of online contacts, being skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities, and reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement.
nationaltoday.com
· 2026-02-16
An 84-year-old woman fell victim to multiple financial scams and frauds perpetrated by accountants, family members, home health aides, and lawyers who exploited her declining memory and trusting nature, stealing thousands of dollars and attempting to gain control of her assets. Her daughter's firsthand account highlights the growing problem of elder financial abuse affecting seniors nationwide as the elderly population increases. Families should protect vulnerable loved ones by monitoring financial accounts, requiring dual signatures on checks, verifying credentials of hired professionals, and maintaining open communication about suspicious requests.
scmp.com
· 2026-02-16
Hong Kong recorded over 43,000 scam cases last year resulting in HK$8.1 billion in losses, with scams comprising nearly half of all reported crimes despite a slight decrease from the previous year. Particularly vulnerable are the elderly and investors, as investment scams surged 30% with average losses jumping to HK$700,000, while concert ticket and employment scams also increased significantly. Police and the public must work together to combat these crimes—residents should stay vigilant and skeptical of unsolicited offers, while banks and financial institutions need stronger protective measures to prevent fraudsters from accessing victims' money.
freepressjournal.in
· 2026-02-16
A 48-year-old businessman from Vasai lost ₹1.29 crore in a cryptocurrency investment scam after being contacted via Facebook by a fraudster who promised unrealistic returns of 100-200 percent. The scammer used fake profit displays and a WhatsApp group to build trust, gradually convincing the victim to transfer money across 16 transactions, then demanded an additional ₹30 lakh in "taxes" to release funds. To protect yourself: never trust unsolicited investment offers on social media, be skeptical of promises of extraordinary returns, avoid downloading unknown apps for financial transactions, and verify investment platforms through official banking channels before transferring any money.
fortune.com
· 2026-02-15
# Romance Scams: A $16 Billion Crisis
Romance scams have cost victims billions of dollars by exploiting emotional connections and trust. Scammers typically pose as romantic interests or trusted acquaintances, gradually building relationships before requesting money or accessing bank accounts under false pretenses—such as Kate Kleinert losing her life savings after being manipulated through a fake friendship, and Beth Hyland nearly transferring large sums after believing she was helping a romantic interest. To protect yourself, be suspicious of online relationships that quickly become intimate, never share banking credentials with anyone, verify claims through independent channels, and remember that scammers often use emotional manipulation and urgency to override your judgment.
ncdoj.gov
· 2026-02-15
Sweetheart scammers use fake profiles on dating sites and social media platforms like Tinder, Facebook, and Match to build trust with victims before asking for money or personal information. Anyone looking for romance or friendship online should verify identities, avoid sharing personal data with strangers, and be suspicious if someone requests money for emergencies or cryptocurrency investments. If you suspect you've been scammed, contact your state's attorney general office.
nbclosangeles.com
· 2026-02-15
Scammers are increasingly using AI-generated images, videos, and voice messages to create fake romantic connections on dating apps and social media, then convincing victims to send money or invest in fake cryptocurrency schemes—with one Orange County woman losing nearly $100,000. These "romance scams" and "pig butchering" schemes have stolen billions of dollars by exploiting people's desire for connection, especially around Valentine's Day. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited romantic contacts, especially those quickly escalating to requests for money or cryptocurrency investments, and verify new connections through video calls or in-person meetings before sharing any financial information.
nationaltoday.com
· 2026-02-15
Americans are losing billions of dollars to sophisticated romance and investment scams that primarily target elderly people over 60, with victims like Kate Kleinert, Beth Hyland, and Jackie Crenshaw losing their life savings after scammers build trust through thousands of messages and deepfaked video calls before exploiting them financially. The FBI logged $16.6 billion in total fraud losses in 2024—a 33% increase from the previous year—with crypto-related fraud jumping 66%, yet the actual toll is likely much higher due to underreporting caused by victim shame and disbelief. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited romantic advances online, avoid sharing personal financial information or making investments based on pressure from people you've only met digitally, and report suspected scams to authorities rather than hiding them out of embarrassment.
durhamregion.com
· 2026-02-15
"Pig butchering" is a sophisticated romance scam targeting Canadians where fraudsters build fake romantic relationships over weeks or months before convincing victims to invest money in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. Scammers use AI chatbots, deepfakes, and fake investment returns to gain trust, allowing victims to cash out small profits before requesting larger investments—at which point they disappear with the money. To protect yourself, be wary of romantic connections that quickly turn to investment opportunities, especially cryptocurrency, and never send money to people you haven't met in person.
fxdailyreport.com
· 2026-02-15
# Romance Scams in Crypto
The U.S. SEC has warned of a growing trend of "romance scams" or "pig butchering" schemes where fraudsters pose as romantic interests or financial advisors through online messages to build trust with victims before pressuring them to invest in cryptocurrency and Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs). These sophisticated, long-term cons exploit emotional connections to extract significant sums of money from unsuspecting people. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited contact from strangers offering investment opportunities, verify the legitimacy of anyone offering financial advice, and remember that legitimate financial advisors won't develop romantic relationships with clients to build trust.
fincen.gov
· 2026-02-14
Romance scams—where fraudsters build fake relationships to trick victims into investing money—are a growing threat that financial institutions need to watch for and report to authorities. The U.S. Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is urging banks to file suspicious activity reports and maintain strong compliance programs to help law enforcement catch these criminals. If you're approached online by someone encouraging you to invest money, verify their identity through independent channels and be cautious about sending funds to new contacts, no matter how trustworthy they seem.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-02-14
# Crypto Scams Costing Americans Millions
Americans are losing billions to rapidly growing crypto fraud schemes, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting significant losses last year from fake investment platforms and AI-generated impersonations. Two major scams include "pig butchering," where fraudsters build trust through dating apps or social media before convincing victims to invest in fake crypto opportunities and then disappearing with their money, and deepfake scams, where AI-generated videos impersonate celebrities and CEOs to promote fraudulent investments on social media platforms. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited investment pitches from online contacts, verify celebrity endorsements through official channels, and never invest based on video ads or messages from people you haven't met in person.
insidehalton.com
· 2026-02-14
"Pig butchering" is an increasingly common romance scam targeting Canadians where fraudsters build trust with victims over weeks or months through dating apps and social media before convincing them to invest money in fake cryptocurrency opportunities. Scammers use sophisticated tactics like AI chatbots, deepfakes, and fake investment returns to make the schemes appear legitimate, eventually disappearing with victims' money once larger sums are invested. To protect yourself, be cautious of romantic connections that quickly turn to investment advice, verify investment opportunities independently, and never send money to online contacts you haven't met in person.
kjct8.com
· 2026-02-14
Romance scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence and coordinated networks to target people seeking love, especially around Valentine's Day and other holidays, often posing as potential partners before requesting money for cryptocurrency investments or other schemes. The scams are becoming harder to detect, with tactics including excessive emotional displays ("love bombing"), avoidance of in-person meetings, and targeting of older adults through dating apps and encrypted messaging platforms. To protect yourself, watch for red flags like reluctance to meet in person or appear on camera, and be skeptical of anyone pressuring you to send money or invest in cryptocurrency.
audacy.com
· 2026-02-14
# Romance Scam Summary
Americans lost over $672 million to romance scams in 2024, with scammers targeting vulnerable people on dating apps and social media by building false trust and emotional connections before stealing personal information and money. The scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and affect people of all ages, with victims often experiencing both financial and emotional devastation, particularly during holidays like Valentine's Day when people are seeking companionship. To protect yourself, be cautious of strangers on dating apps and social media who quickly build emotional connections, never share personal information with people you haven't met in person, and be especially wary if someone asks for money or cryptocurrency.
securitymagazine.com
· 2026-02-14
# Valentine's Day Romance Scam Summary
Over 630,000 organized cybercriminals are running industrial-scale romance scams targeting millions of Americans on dating apps, with U.S. losses exceeding $1.3 billion annually and individual victims losing an average of $10,000 to $50,000 (often their entire life savings). Unlike the small-time catfishers of the past, these are professional operations with shift workers, quotas, and specialized roles that use fake personas, cryptocurrency exchanges, and VPNs to launder stolen money. To protect yourself, be cautious of anyone you meet online who quickly professes affection, asks for money or financial information, or avoids video calls—and report suspected scams to the FTC and your dating app platform.
baynews9.com
· 2026-02-14
# Romance Scams Summary
Americans lose over $1 billion annually to romance scams, where fraudsters build trust with victims online and manipulate them into sending money, often by steering them toward fake investment platforms. The scams are becoming harder to detect due to AI-generated deepfakes that make scammers appear more authentic, and victims—even tech-savvy ones—often lose their life savings by maxing out credit cards. Lawmakers are pushing protective measures like the bipartisan Romance Scam Prevention Act, which would require dating platforms to warn users about profiles later identified as fraudulent.
aol.com
· 2026-02-14
# Scams Targeting Older Adults
Elder fraud is a growing problem, with individuals aged 60 and over losing $3.4 billion in 2023—an 11% increase from the previous year—with an average loss of $33,915 per victim. The most common scams targeting older adults include tech support scams (fake calls claiming to be from Microsoft or Apple), personal data breaches, romance scams, and investment fraud, with scammers typically initiating contact through calls, emails, or texts before requesting money or access to devices. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited contact from companies or strangers, never give remote access to your devices or personal information to callers you didn't initiate contact with, verify any claims by contacting companies directly using official phone numbers, and report suspicious activity to the FBI or local authorities.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2026-02-14
Americans are losing over $1 billion annually to romance scams, where fraudsters build fake emotional connections online to manipulate victims into sending money or investing in fake platforms, often using deepfakes and AI to appear more authentic. The scams affect people across all tech-savviness levels, with victims frequently maxing out credit cards and losing their life savings. To protect yourself, be wary of new online romantic interests who quickly suggest investments or ask for money, and lawmakers are now pushing dating platforms to alert users about profiles banned for fraud.
bendsource.com
· 2026-02-14
# Romance Scam Summary
Romance scams have become increasingly prevalent and costly, with victims reporting $12.5 billion in investment-related fraud losses in 2024—triple the amount from three years prior. Scammers typically pose as attractive, successful individuals on dating apps and social media, using fake profiles and AI-generated content to build trust before pressuring victims into fake investments or requesting money directly. To protect yourself, watch for red flags like unsolicited contact, pressure to invest quickly, promises of easy money, or any request for financial information, and verify any investment opportunities through official regulatory websites before proceeding.
thehill.com
· 2026-02-13
# Romance Scams Spike Ahead of Valentine's Day
The FBI is warning of a sharp rise in romance scams as people increasingly use dating apps and social media to find love, with scammers creating fake profiles to manipulate victims into sending money or personal information—sometimes using AI-generated photos and videos to appear more convincing. A particularly dangerous variant called "pig butchering" lures victims into fraudulent cryptocurrency trading schemes that can result in substantial financial losses, with romance scams costing Americans an estimated $10 billion annually. To protect yourself, the FBI advises maintaining healthy skepticism when meeting people online, being especially wary of anyone who quickly claims to have lucrative investment opportunities, and never sending money or sharing sensitive information with people you haven't met in person.
wkbw.com
· 2026-02-13
Federal officials are warning Western New Yorkers about a sharp rise in romance scams, which cost victims over $1.3 billion nationwide in 2024, with criminals using fake dating profiles and AI technology to build trust before directing victims to fraudulent investment schemes. Scammers specifically target lonely individuals, and a particularly brutal tactic called "pig butchering" involves encouraging victims to make increasingly large investments before stealing their money, with victims often losing life savings and taking out loans. To protect yourself, be skeptical of online romantic interests who quickly push investment opportunities, and remember that if something "doesn't smell right or feel right, it probably isn't right."
audacy.com
· 2026-02-13
Federal authorities in Buffalo are warning of a rising romance investment scam where fraudsters build trust with victims online and then lure them into fake investment or cryptocurrency platforms, often showing fake statements of unrealistic returns and even sending back small withdrawals to build credibility before requesting larger sums. The scam represents an evolution of traditional romance fraud, making victims more likely to invest substantial amounts of money. People should be cautious about online relationships that quickly pivot to investment opportunities, verify investment platforms independently, and never send money to romantic interests they haven't met in person.
itweb.co.za
· 2026-02-13
South African dating app users are being warned about a surge in sophisticated "pig butchering" scams—where fraudsters use AI-generated deepfakes and fake identities to build trust with victims before stealing their money, often in cryptocurrency schemes. A recent Interpol operation across Africa resulted in 260 arrests and exposed how these criminal networks target middle-aged and recently divorced individuals on platforms like Tinder and Hinge, with about 80% of identity scams now using deepfake technology. To protect yourself, be cautious of anyone pushing you to move conversations off dating apps to encrypted platforms, verify video calls carefully, and avoid any requests for money or investment opportunities from people you've only met online.
decrypt.co
· 2026-02-13
U.S. prosecutors are warning about a surge in romance scams timed around Valentine's Day, where scammers build fake emotional relationships over weeks or months before luring victims into fake cryptocurrency investment schemes. These "pig butchering" scams exploit emotional trust to manipulate victims into sending money via crypto, gift cards, or wire transfers, with red flags including requests to move conversations to messaging apps like WhatsApp, declarations of love, refusal to meet in person, and pressure to invest. To protect yourself, be skeptical of strangers offering investment advice, watch for signs of emotional manipulation, and never send money via untraceable payment methods to people you haven't met in person.
fingerlakesdailynews.com
· 2026-02-13
# Romance and Investment Scams on the Rise
Federal law enforcement agencies in Western New York are warning the public about a sharp increase in sophisticated romance scams, where fraudsters build fake relationships on dating apps and social media before convincing victims to invest money in fake cryptocurrency or trading schemes. Victims of all ages—including professionals, seniors, and younger adults—have lost thousands of dollars and suffered significant emotional trauma, with scammers using tactics like "pig-butchering" where they shower victims with affection before disappearing with their money. Authorities advise people to be extremely cautious about what they share online, never send money to online contacts regardless of how trustworthy they seem, and trust their instincts if something feels off.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
· 2026-02-13
An estimated 220,000 people are trapped in "scam compounds" across Cambodia and Myanmar, where they are held captive and forced to conduct online fraud targeting people worldwide. These industrialized operations are not hidden criminal enterprises but are openly embedded within legitimate business infrastructure, protected by government officials, and sustained by global financial systems. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited job offers from acquaintances (especially those promising high pay abroad), verify employment opportunities through official channels, and report suspicious online activity to authorities.
256today.com
· 2026-02-13
Experts predict that artificial intelligence will significantly increase fraud in 2026, with scammers using AI-generated deepfakes and convincing emails to impersonate trusted contacts and trick victims into transferring money or changing payment details. The article identifies three major threats: AI-enhanced business email compromise attacks, synthetic identity fraud targeting credit institutions, and long-term investment scams that build trust before exploiting it. To protect yourself, verify any payment or financial requests by calling the requestor directly using a known number, be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true, and remain cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities.
mk.co.kr
· 2026-02-13
TV personality Jang Young-ran nearly fell victim to a voice phishing scam in which someone impersonated her stylist's friend, built rapport through friendly conversation, and then requested urgent money by claiming to be disabled. The scammer even provided a fake resident registration card, but when an acquaintance verified the ID number, it was found to belong to a deceased person, prompting Jang to avoid sending any money. The key takeaway for people is to verify identities through direct contact with known numbers, be suspicious of sudden requests for money from acquaintances, and never send funds based solely on documents provided by the requester.