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biometricupdate.com
· 2026-02-18
# Romance Scams and AI Fraud Threaten Online Dating Platforms
Online dating apps are increasingly plagued by AI-generated deepfakes and fake profiles, with 61% of users having encountered bots or scammers and Americans losing over $16 billion to romance scams in 2024. The sophisticated AI tools making these deceptions nearly impossible to detect have left 84% of users saying it's harder to trust potential matches, while some people are turning to AI companions instead of real dating altogether. To protect yourself, users should verify matches through video calls, be cautious of anyone asking for money, and use reputable dating platforms that employ identity verification and fraud detection measures.
mondaq.com
· 2026-02-18
Romance scams cost victims and organizations over $670 million in the US and £106 million in the UK in 2024, with criminals using fake online identities and emotional manipulation to pressure victims into sending money or revealing confidential company information. Employees who fall victim to these scams can inadvertently expose their organizations to financial and data security risks, particularly if they've already exhausted personal finances and are pressured to access company assets or confidential information. Organizations can protect themselves by educating employees about common romance scam tactics like catfishing and sextortion, helping them recognize warning signs before they become victims.
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.
phys.org
· 2026-02-17
Romance scams are increasingly prevalent on dating apps like Tinder and Bumble, as well as social media and gaming platforms, where fraudsters build fake relationships to exploit victims financially. While there's no evidence that Valentine's Day specifically triggers more scams, romance fraud increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic when people sought emotional connection online. To protect yourself, be cautious of anyone quickly asking for money, verify profiles through reverse image searches, avoid sharing personal financial information early, and be skeptical of individuals who seem too perfect or rush emotional intimacy.
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.
wgem.com
· 2026-02-16
Romance scams, where fraudsters pose as romantic interests to extract money, are one of the fastest-growing online scams targeting adults—particularly those over 60—with Americans losing over $1 billion to these schemes in 2023 alone, averaging $83,000 per victim. Red flags include scammers who build trust slowly over months, isolate you from loved ones, claim to live far away, or request money for emergencies or investments. To protect yourself, take your time with new online relationships, keep accounts private, verify profile photos with reverse image searches, and consult trusted friends or family before sharing personal information; if scammed, report to the platform, local police, and the FTC or FBI's internet crime center.
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.
longbridge.com
· 2026-02-16
# Romance Scams Alert
US prosecutors are warning the public about "pig-butchering" scams ahead of Valentine's Day, where scammers build romantic relationships with victims to manipulate them into investing in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms. These elaborate schemes combine emotional manipulation with fake investment opportunities, targeting people seeking romantic connections online. To protect yourself, be cautious of new romantic interests who quickly push you toward cryptocurrency investments, verify investment platforms independently, and avoid sending money or personal information to people you haven't met in person.
yahoo.com
· 2026-02-16
# Romance Scam Summary
The FBI is warning people about romance scams, particularly around Valentine's Day, where scammers create fake online identities to build trust and manipulate victims into sending money or sharing sensitive information. To protect yourself, be cautious about what you share online, verify a person's identity through image searches, move slowly in new relationships, and never send money to someone you've only met online. Red flags include people who seem too perfect, ask you to move communication off dating apps quickly, isolate you from friends and family, or constantly make excuses to avoid meeting in person.
aol.com
· 2026-02-16
Romance scammers are increasingly tricking Americans into taking out home equity loans against their homes or stealing their personal information to apply for these loans themselves, putting victims at risk of losing their homes if they can't repay. The scammers typically build fake romantic relationships over weeks or months, then claim an emergency to pressure victims into borrowing money, with seniors over 55 being particularly targeted. To protect yourself, be suspicious of online romantic interests who quickly ask for money, never share personal financial information with people you've only met online, and verify any loan applications you don't remember submitting by contacting your bank directly.
nbcnews.com
· 2026-02-15
# Romance Scammers Target Home Loans
Romance scammers are increasingly tricking Americans into taking out home equity loans or stealing their personal information to fraudulently obtain these loans, putting victims' homes at risk of foreclosure. The scammers typically build fake romantic relationships online over weeks or months before claiming an emergency and pressuring victims to borrow money against their homes as collateral. To protect yourself, be wary of online romantic interests who quickly ask for money, never share personal financial information with people you've only met online, and verify any loan applications directly with your bank.
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.
abc7chicago.com
· 2026-02-15
# Sextortion Scams Alert
Criminals are conducting "sextortion" scams where they claim to have inappropriate photos or videos of victims—either obtained through deception or created using AI—and demand money (often in cryptocurrency) under threat of posting them online. One Chicago woman shared her experience of being targeted on a dating app by a scammer who eventually posted a fake AI-generated nude image of her on social media when she refused to pay $3,000. Authorities recommend victims preserve all messages, block the scammer without responding, obtain their identifying information, and report the crime to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov rather than paying the ransom.
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.
bbc.com
· 2026-02-15
Romance scammers are creating fake online personas to build trust with victims and manipulate them into sending money, with UK losses totaling an estimated £106 million in the past year. Thames Valley Police warns that these fraudsters gradually construct emotional connections through personal stories before fabricating emergencies or crises to pressure victims for cash, often discouraging them from seeking outside advice. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that move quickly, watch for requests for money or secrecy, and verify claims with trusted friends or family before sending any funds.
wvua23.com
· 2026-02-15
Online romance scams target lonely people of all ages by building emotional trust through fake personas before requesting money for supposed emergencies, with victims often losing thousands of dollars that are rarely recovered. The scammers—who may use stolen images or impersonate celebrities—exploit the emotional connection they've cultivated to manipulate victims into sending money repeatedly. If someone you've met online but never in person asks for money or gifts, that's a red flag to end contact immediately and report the situation to local authorities rather than continuing to send funds.
wistv.com
· 2026-02-15
Romance scams cost Midlands residents over $2.6 million in 2025, with losses more than doubling over the past five years as scammers use increasingly sophisticated technology like AI to build fake romantic relationships and extract money from victims. Seniors aged 60 and older are the most targeted group, though the perpetrators are often located overseas. The FBI recommends being cautious of online contacts who quickly ask for money and to verify identities carefully, as scammers now use advanced deepfake technology to create convincing video calls impersonating real people.
spectrumnews1.com
· 2026-02-15
Romance scammers are increasingly targeting people on dating apps and social media, particularly around Valentine's Day, with the FBI reporting nearly $390 million lost to these scams in a single year. One victim in her 80s lost approximately $300,000 over five years after meeting a man through an online gaming app who professed his love and repeatedly asked for money via gift cards. To protect yourself, be skeptical of online relationships that quickly turn romantic, never send money to people you haven't met in person, and report suspicious activity to authorities—victims and their families should also consider reporting incidents to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
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.
vox.com
· 2026-02-15
Romance scams cost Americans $3 billion last year and are becoming increasingly prevalent, with AI now enabling scammers to run multiple schemes simultaneously by removing language barriers and providing ready-made fake personas and conversation scripts. These "pig-butchering" scams involve fraudsters building trust with victims over time before extracting money, and criminals can now purchase complete scam toolkits on the dark web with AI-generated photos, deepfake videos, and automated translation tools. To protect yourself, be cautious of online romantic interests who quickly ask for money, verify identities through video calls, and report suspicious activity to authorities rather than sending funds to anyone you haven't met in person.
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.
insidehalton.com
· 2026-02-15
# Valentine's Day Scam Alert Summary
Ontario residents are being warned about dating scams targeting people using online dating apps this Valentine's Day season, with digital security experts and local law enforcement actively alerting the public to protect themselves while using dating platforms. The scams typically involve fraudsters building romantic connections with victims to extract money or personal information. To stay safe, users should verify profiles carefully, avoid sharing financial details with new matches, and be cautious of anyone quickly professing feelings or asking for money.
wmur.com
· 2026-02-14
# Romance Scam Warning
Law enforcement in New Hampshire and the broader Northeast are warning residents about romance scams, which have cost over 700 victims approximately $20 million across Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Scammers typically target people seeking companionship—especially recent widows—by creating fake online personas, quickly professing love, and then requesting money for emergencies via gift cards or cryptocurrency. Authorities advise people to watch for red flags like refusals to video call or meet in person, and urge victims not to feel ashamed but to reach out to loved ones and law enforcement for help.
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.
sfstandard.com
· 2026-02-14
Romance scams in the Bay Area have exploded in 2025, with AI making these schemes faster and harder to detect—Northern California saw losses more than double to $43.3 million, with San Francisco alone experiencing a nearly 900% increase to $6.34 million. Scammers, often operating overseas, use dating apps, social media, and text messages to build trust with lonely or vulnerable victims before draining their savings in schemes known as "pig butchering." The FBI advises people to be cautious about online relationships, verify identities, and check for inconsistencies before sharing personal or financial information, especially with someone you've only met online.
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.
9news.com
· 2026-02-14
Romance scams have doubled from 2024 to 2025, with criminals posing as romantic interests to manipulate victims across all age groups into either sending money directly or unknowingly laundering stolen funds through their personal bank accounts—a practice called "money-muling." Victims can lose their entire savings or retirement accounts and may even face criminal charges themselves if they continue transferring funds after being warned by their banks. To protect yourself, listen to your bank's warnings about suspicious deposits or transfers, be cautious of requests from people you've never met in person, and remember that legitimate romantic interests won't ask you to move money or conduct financial transactions on their behalf.
cbsnews.com
· 2026-02-14
# Romance Scams Surge During Valentine's Day
Romance scams are experiencing record highs, with fraudsters using increasingly sophisticated tactics like deepfakes and impersonation to manipulate lonely people into sending money, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. Victims are often lured into private messaging platforms where scammers request funds for family emergencies or visits, exploiting shame and embarrassment to prevent reporting. To protect yourself, avoid sharing financial information with online romantic interests, be wary if conversations quickly shift to money requests, insist on in-person meetings, and report any scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
whio.com
· 2026-02-14
# Romance Scam Summary
Romance scams cost Americans over $1 billion in 2023, with scammers exploiting lonely individuals by building emotional connections online before requesting money for emergencies. One Ohio woman lost tens of thousands of dollars to a scammer posing as "Matthew" before realizing she'd been defrauded. Banks recommend never sending money to someone you haven't physically met and verified, and tellers are now trained to watch for signs of romance fraud.
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.
mashable.com
· 2026-02-14
Romance scams are increasingly prevalent, with two in five young adults encountering them weekly, and about 15% of Americans reporting financial losses to online dating scams—often ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars, particularly affecting men. Scammers use sophisticated tactics including AI-generated impersonations of loved ones, fake dating app clones (especially Plenty of Fish knockoffs), and fake "exclusive" dating invitations to trick people into sharing personal or payment information. To stay safe, users should verify new dating contacts carefully, be cautious of unsolicited dating app invitations, use legitimate apps with identity verification features like Tinder's new face-scanning requirement, and avoid sharing financial information with online matches.
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.
fox7austin.com
· 2026-02-14
# Romance Scam Summary
A Pennsylvania man's wife was scammed out of $18,000 over five months by someone posing as a Texan she met on TikTok, who used "love bombing" tactics and fabricated stories about needing money for his children to manipulate her. The FBI is warning the public about a surge in romance scams, particularly around Valentine's Day, which often involve constant messaging, emotional manipulation, and requests for money that never result in promised returns. To protect yourself, be cautious of rapid relationship escalation with strangers online, verify identities independently, and never send money to people you haven't met in person, especially if they make excuses or urgent requests.
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.
cbsnews.com
· 2026-02-13
# Romance Scam Summary
The FBI reported record-high romance scams in 2025, with over 24,000 victims losing more than $943 million—a 35% increase from 2024. Scammers, often operating from overseas compounds, pose as romantic interests online and manipulate victims into sending money by fabricating emergencies or personal crises. To protect yourself, be wary of online love interests who declare their feelings quickly or ask for money, especially if English appears to be their second language.
southcarolinapublicradio.org
· 2026-02-13
Romance scams are increasingly common, with 1 in 7 American adults reporting they've lost money to online dating fraud, with losses ranging from under $500 for younger victims to over $5,000 for adults aged 35-44. Scammers build trust through frequent online communication before requesting money through various payment methods like wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. To protect yourself, never send money to someone you haven't met in person, watch for red flags like requests for financial information early in conversations, and report suspected scams to the FBI.
kob.com
· 2026-02-13
Romance scams cost New Mexicans $3.8 million last year, with scammers targeting people on social media and those unfamiliar with warning signs by posing as romantic interests. Anyone can fall victim, but the FBI advises being cautious of unsolicited messages from unknown numbers and reaching out to trusted loved ones if you suspect you're being targeted. If you believe you're a victim, call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or submit a tip online.
nbclosangeles.com
· 2026-02-13
The FBI is warning people to be vigilant on dating apps and social media around Valentine's Day, as scammers are increasingly targeting lonely individuals by creating fake profiles, building false relationships quickly, and eventually requesting money under the guise of emergencies or travel expenses. Last year, over 2,000 people lost more than $112 million to these romance scams, with victims typically being women over 40, widowed or divorced individuals, and people with disabilities. To protect yourself, be cautious of anyone who quickly professes love, avoids meeting in person, or asks for money; you can report suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
koco.com
· 2026-02-13
# Romance Scams Powered by AI Are Costing Americans Hundreds of Millions
Americans lost over $672 million to romance scams in 2024, with artificial intelligence making scammers increasingly difficult to detect—one in four Americans has encountered a fake profile or AI chatbot, and one in seven has lost money to these schemes. Scammers use AI to create convincing personas by studying victims' social media posts, then gradually build trust through mirroring interests and offering sympathy over days or weeks. To protect yourself, be skeptical of online dating connections that seem too perfectly matched to your interests, avoid sending money to people you've only met online, and watch for red flags like requests for personal information or financial help early in the relationship.
wfsb.com
· 2026-02-13
Connecticut state officials have issued a warning about romance scams that target people on dating apps and social media, particularly around Valentine's Day when online dating increases. Scammers build trust over weeks or months before requesting money for travel, visas, or emergencies, with victims losing an average of $2,000 according to the Federal Trade Commission. To protect yourself, never send money to someone you haven't met in person, trust your instincts if something feels off, and if you've already been scammed, contact your bank immediately to request a refund and report the incident to the FTC or FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.