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tradingview.com
· 2026-02-10
# Crypto Scam Mastermind Sentenced to 20 Years
A cryptocurrency scam ring led by Daren Li stole over $73 million from victims, primarily American investors, using fake trading websites and fraudulent relationships initiated on social media and dating apps to trick people into sending money. Li, who was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, is currently a fugitive after removing his electronic monitor in December 2025, though authorities say they are working internationally to locate and return him. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of unsolicited investment offers on social media and dating apps, verify that cryptocurrency platforms are legitimate before depositing funds, and never send money to accounts associated with people you've only met online.
crypto.news
· 2026-02-10
A U.S. court sentenced crypto scam mastermind Daren Li to 20 years in prison for orchestrating a "pig butchering" fraud scheme that stole $73 million from victims through fake investment platforms and deceptive social media relationships, though Li fled the country and remains a fugitive. The scam operated out of overseas call centers that manipulated people into sending money by building fake trust, then laundered proceeds through shell companies and cryptocurrency. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited investment offers on social media, verify trading platforms independently, and never send money to unknown contacts—especially those requesting cryptocurrency transfers.
newsweek.com
· 2026-02-10
# Romance Scams Surge Ahead of Valentine's Day
The FBI is warning of a significant increase in romance scams as Valentine's Day approaches, with Virginia alone reporting over $20 million in losses from more than 200 complaints last year, and scammers increasingly using AI-generated photos and videos to create more convincing fake profiles. These scams typically begin on dating apps or social media, where criminals build emotional connections before requesting money for emergencies, travel, investments, or cryptocurrency. To protect yourself, watch for red flags such as quick declarations of love, refusal to video chat, claims of overseas work, pressure for secrecy, and urgent money requests—and report any suspicious activity to the FBI immediately.
13newsnow.com
· 2026-02-10
# Romance Scam Summary
The FBI is warning about a significant increase in romance scams, particularly ahead of Valentine's Day, where criminals create fake online identities to manipulate victims into sending money or sharing personal information. Virginia alone reported over 200 romance scams last year resulting in $20 million in losses. To protect yourself, avoid sending money, gift cards, or financial information to people you've only met online, be skeptical of urgent requests for money, and consult trusted friends or family before making financial decisions with online acquaintances.
kclu.org
· 2026-02-10
Romance scams cost U.S. victims an estimated $204 million last year, with incidents rising 20% in early 2025 primarily through dating apps and social media, exploiting people's loneliness and trust during peak romantic seasons. Scammers increasingly use AI tools and deepfakes to impersonate others convincingly, making it easier to target victims. To protect yourself, watch for warning signs like "love bombing" (excessive intensity and quick relationship progression) and be cautious about what you share online, as scammers research potential targets through social media posts.
kmbc.com
· 2026-02-10
# Romance Scams Warning for Valentine's Day
Scammers are targeting people seeking love online by creating fake identities to manipulate victims into sending money or revealing financial information, with consumers losing over $1.1 billion to romance scams in 2025. Banks and the Federal Trade Commission are warning the public to watch for common red flags, including sob stories about needing money for medical emergencies or legal troubles, and to verify identities by reverse-image searching profile photos and never sharing personal details like your name or workplace. If you suspect you've been targeted, report it immediately and share these warning signs with friends and family who might be vulnerable to these scams.
theage.com.au
· 2026-02-10
A 23-year-old Australian man lost $23,000—his entire savings plus his brother's money—after falling victim to an elaborate fake job scam, highlighting a broader crisis where scam losses across Australia jumped 5% last year as criminals exploit emails, social media, and phone calls. While new "landmark" scam prevention laws are beginning to roll out from July 2024, they won't fully take effect until 2026 and leave significant gaps by not covering dating apps, cryptocurrency exchanges, and online marketplaces commonly used by scammers. To protect yourself, be cautious about unsolicited job offers, verify employment opportunities directly with companies, never send money upfront, and report suspected scams to authorities immediately.
actionnews5.com
· 2026-02-10
Romance scams are rapidly growing online threats where fraudsters pose as romantic interests to extract money from victims, with Americans losing over $1 billion in 2023 alone and adults over 60 being hit hardest, losing an average of $83,000 each. Red flags include scammers who build trust slowly over months, isolate you from friends and family, live far away and never meet in person, or ask for money for emergencies or investments. To protect yourself, move slowly with new online relationships, keep accounts private, verify photos through reverse image searches, and consult trusted friends or family before sharing personal information or money.
krmg.com
· 2026-02-10
# Romance Scam Summary
The Better Business Bureau warns that romance scams on dating apps can leave victims not only financially devastated but also potentially facing criminal charges. Scammers create fake online relationships, often claiming to be stranded abroad, and manipulate victims into becoming "money mules" by transferring stolen funds or pawning electronics on their behalf—actions that can result in felony convictions, as happened to an 80-year-old woman featured in an FBI case study. To protect yourself, be wary of anyone who repeatedly makes excuses to avoid meeting in person, never transfer money for someone you haven't met, ignore requests to open bank accounts for others, and heed warnings from bank employees or law enforcement if they alert you to potential fraud.
chipchick.com
· 2026-02-10
# Romance Scam Summary
An elderly woman staying at a hotel appears to be a victim of a romance scam, having sold her childhood home to move to New York to be with someone she believes is former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Romance scams cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2023, with seniors over 60 being particularly vulnerable targets—the FBI reported over 700 victims in the Northeast alone lost $20 million in a single year. If you or someone you know is in a relationship with someone you've never met in person who asks for money or personal information, verify their identity through independent sources and be wary of requests for financial assistance or moves based on promises from online contacts.
local3news.com
· 2026-02-09
# Romance Scams on the Rise Before Valentine's Day
Romance scammers cost victims approximately $1.3 billion in 2023 by building fake romantic relationships over weeks or months before requesting money, with scammers typically initiating contact through dating apps or social media and gradually escalating requests for funds under various pretexts like airline tickets. Unlike quick card theft that victims detect immediately, romance scams go undetected for extended periods because the emotional investment and trust built by the scammer makes victims reluctant to acknowledge they've been deceived. To protect yourself, be cautious of online romantic interests who request money, verify identities through video calls before meeting, and never send funds to people you haven't met in person—especially around Valentine's Day when scammers are most active.
kait8.com
· 2026-02-09
Arkansas residents are losing millions to financial fraud through phone calls and text messages, with Americans losing over $16 billion in 2024 according to the FBI, though actual losses are believed to be much higher since many victims don't report crimes. Common scams include lottery and tax schemes that trick victims into sending money upfront, with affected individuals losing an average of $80,000 or more. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited messages claiming you've won money or owe taxes, and report suspected scams to authorities and your bank immediately—Arkansas passed Act 1015 in 2021 to help financial institutions identify and stop fraudulent transactions targeting vulnerable residents.
kucoin.com
· 2026-02-09
Tether, a major cryptocurrency company, froze $543 million in assets belonging to a Turkish man accused of running illegal betting platforms and money laundering, assisting Turkish authorities in their investigation. The suspect, Veysel Sahin, has been on the run since fleeing Turkey in early 2024 after initially being arrested in 2017. For those using cryptocurrency, this case demonstrates that law enforcement can trace and freeze digital assets, and highlights Tether's increasing cooperation with authorities to combat financial crimes including scams and money laundering.
valleynewslive.com
· 2026-02-09
A Minnesota woman named Julie Verdugt fell victim to a romance scam on Facebook dating after meeting someone posing as "Bratt Erick Smith," who quickly began requesting money under the guise of needing loans. Scammers often use fake profiles with stolen photos, refuse video calls, and create urgency and secrecy around money requests to manipulate victims. To protect yourself, watch for red flags like requests to keep relationships secret, pressure to act quickly, refusals to video chat, and verify profiles through reverse image searches before sharing personal information or money.
region.com.au
· 2026-02-09
# Romance Scams Cost Australians Millions as Valentine's Day Approaches
Australians lost over $28.6 million to romance scams last year—a 21.8 percent increase—with scammers primarily targeting people through dating apps, social media, and online forums. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission warns that these criminals use carefully planned tactics to build emotional trust before requesting money or personal information, making romance scams one of the most financially and psychologically damaging crimes in the country. To protect yourself, be cautious about sharing money or personal details with online contacts, especially those you haven't met in person, and report suspicious activity to Scamwatch while discussing these scams with friends and family.
miragenews.com
· 2026-02-09
# Romance Scams Surge Ahead of Valentine's Day
Criminals are increasingly using AI to create fake profiles on dating apps, generating realistic photos, deepfake videos, and even mimicking voices to deceive potential romantic partners into sending money—with some victims losing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Banks warn that AI has made it extremely difficult to spot these scams, as scammers exploit emotions and loneliness with highly sophisticated tools. To protect yourself, trust your instincts if a potential match seems too perfect or something feels off, verify identities before meeting, and never send money to people you haven't met in person.
says.com
· 2026-02-09
Scammers are increasingly using AI tools to create convincing fraud messages, clone voices, and generate deepfake videos that are much harder to detect than traditional scams, affecting people across Malaysia and beyond. Recent victims include a woman who lost RM5,000 to fake boss emails and a 63-year-old man who transferred RM49,800 after receiving a call from an AI-cloned voice of a friend. To protect yourself, verify unexpected requests by contacting the sender through a known phone number or in person, be skeptical of perfect messages from institutions you work with, and remember that legitimate banks and employers won't request money via gift vouchers or wire transfers.
pennwatch.org
· 2026-02-09
# Romance Scam Summary
A woman named Kate Kleinert lost tens of thousands of dollars to a romance scam, where scammers pose as potential romantic partners online to steal money from victims. The podcast "The High Price of Love: Uncovering Romance Scams" features Kate's story and expert advice from AARP Pennsylvania to help people recognize and avoid these schemes. If you're dating online, be cautious of new suitors asking for money, verify their identities before developing emotional connections, and report any suspicious activity to AARP's Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.
cbs8.com
· 2026-02-08
Romance scams are surging ahead of Valentine's Day, with scammers using fake online dating profiles and increasingly sophisticated AI technology to build false emotional connections before asking victims for money or personal information. In 2025, over 250 San Diego residents lost more than $9.6 million to these scams, which can target anyone regardless of education or profession. To protect yourself, watch for red flags like requests for money (especially for travel or emergencies), repeated cancellations to meet in person, or offers of investment opportunities, and always discuss suspicious relationships with trusted friends or family before sending money or sharing personal details.
yahoo.com
· 2026-02-08
The FBI is warning people about romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day, noting that over 550 people in North Florida lost $22.2 million to these schemes last year, where scammers create fake dating profiles to extract money and personal information from victims. To protect yourself, the FBI recommends verifying the identity of people you meet online, never sending money or personal details to someone you haven't met in person, and being wary of anyone trying to isolate you from friends and family. If you suspect you're being targeted by a romance scam, stop contact with the person and report it to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov, even if no money was lost.
10news.com
· 2026-02-08
Romance scammers use fake online identities to build trust with victims and then exploit them for money, personal information, or valuables, with the FBI warning San Diegans about this growing threat especially around Valentine's Day. In 2025 alone, over 250 San Diego residents lost more than $9.6 million to these scams, while nationwide losses exceeded $672 million in 2024, with criminals now using AI-generated content to make their fake profiles more convincing. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that quickly become romantic, watch for requests for money or personal information, verify identities through video calls, and report suspicious activity to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
timesfreepress.com
· 2026-02-08
The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers are posing as romantic partners on dating apps and social media to manipulate victims into transferring money or laundering stolen funds, with potential victims facing both financial losses and serious legal consequences. These fraudsters build fake relationships that seem genuine, then create urgent scenarios—such as medical emergencies or investment opportunities—to pressure victims into sending money or helping move funds. To protect yourself, stay cautious on dating apps, be skeptical of requests for money from new connections, and avoid transferring funds or moving money on behalf of someone you've only met online.
star941fm.iheart.com
· 2026-02-08
A California woman lost her home and $81,000 in a sophisticated AI deepfake romance scam where criminals impersonated actor Steve Burton through convincing fake videos and voice messages to build a fake romantic relationship. Romance scams have become increasingly difficult to detect as AI technology advances, with victims losing over $1.14 billion in 2023 alone, and similar high-profile cases involving celebrities like Brad Pitt emerging. To protect yourself, be cautious about unexpected romantic advances online, never send money to people you haven't met in person, and verify claims by contacting the real person or organization through official channels.
bitdefender.com
· 2026-02-08
A Romanian businesswoman was defrauded of $2.5 million by scammers posing as Dubai's Crown Prince and his financial manager in a sophisticated two-year romance scam involving a fake banking website and repeated "fee" demands. Investigators traced the operation to a Nigerian mansion and identified the perpetrator as Nzube Henry Ike, whose scheme eventually unraveled when his accomplices fell out over dividing the stolen money and exposed him. To protect yourself: be suspicious of unsolicited investment offers from strangers online, never send money for "fees" to access funds you haven't verified through official channels, and use reverse image searches to verify the identity of people you meet online.
zataz.com
· 2026-02-08
Xinbi, a Chinese-language marketplace operating on Telegram, is reorganizing its illicit services after law enforcement crackdowns, shifting to a new messaging app called SafeW and launching its own wallet service. The platform, which processes billions of dollars annually, facilitates high-risk transactions like money laundering and fraud related to "pig butchering" scams by offering escrow services and coordinating money mule networks. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited investment opportunities, verify financial platforms through official channels, and avoid transferring money through unfamiliar apps or intermediaries.
fultonsun.com
· 2026-02-08
The FBI's Kansas City Office is warning people about romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day, which can lead to financial loss and extortion. These scams typically target lonely individuals seeking romantic connections online. To protect yourself, be cautious about new online relationships that quickly ask for money or personal information, and verify the person's identity before sharing sensitive details or sending funds.
dfpi.ca.gov
· 2026-02-07
A California resident lost over $1.2 million in a "pig butchering" scam where scammers posing as financial advisers named Andrey and Alisa contacted them on WhatsApp, promised crypto investment returns, and directed them to wire money to personal bank accounts through a fake trading platform. The fraudulent website (aplfinance.us) is no longer operational, and the victim was unable to recover any funds. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of unsolicited investment offers on social media, never wire money to personal accounts for investments, and verify that financial platforms are legitimate through official regulatory channels before depositing any money.
foxnews.com
· 2026-02-07
A woman named Abigail was defrauded of over $81,000 and her paid-off home by scammers who used AI-generated deepfake videos and messages impersonating actor Steve Burton to build a fake romantic relationship with her on Facebook and WhatsApp. The scam escalated over time as the perpetrators manipulated her into transferring money and eventually taking out loans against her home before her daughter discovered the fraud. To protect yourself, be suspicious of romantic contact from celebrities, avoid moving conversations to encrypted messaging apps with people you've just met online, and verify identities through official channels before sharing personal or financial information.
yahoo.com
· 2026-02-07
# Romance Scam Warning for Valentine's Day
The FBI is warning the public about increased romance scams around Valentine's Day, where scammers create fake identities on dating apps and social media to build trust with victims before requesting money for fake emergencies through wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. Anyone using online dating should protect themselves by being cautious about sharing personal information, using reputable dating sites, verifying profiles through reverse image searches, taking relationships slowly, and immediately reporting suspicious requests for money or attempts to isolate them offline. If you suspect you're being scammed, stop all communication and report it to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.
blogs.chapman.edu
· 2026-02-07
Romance scams are on the rise, particularly around Valentine's Day, with cybercriminals using fake emotional connections on dating apps and social media to manipulate people into sending money or sharing personal information. Anyone can become a victim regardless of age or background, as scammers increasingly use AI-generated content and personalized messages to appear more convincing. If you suspect a romance scam, stop all communication immediately, don't send money, and report it to your institution's security team or local law enforcement.
montclair.edu
· 2026-02-07
Romance scams are increasingly targeting college students and staff, with scammers using dating apps and social media to build fake emotional connections before requesting money through emergencies, travel complications, or other fabricated scenarios. Victims can lose hundreds or thousands of dollars to these schemes, which typically involve fast-moving emotional manipulation, refusal to meet in person, and pressure to move conversations off-platform. To protect yourself, take relationships slowly, verify identities through reverse image searches and video calls, never send money to someone you haven't met in person, and report any suspicious activity to your bank and the platform immediately.
kpbs.org
· 2026-02-07
The FBI is warning San Diego residents about romance scams, where criminals create fake online identities to build trust with victims before exploiting them for money, personal information, or other valuables. In 2025 alone, over 250 San Diego-area victims lost $9.6 million to these scams, and scammers are increasingly using AI-generated images and videos to appear more convincing. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that quickly become romantic or involve requests for money, and verify the person's identity before sharing personal or financial information.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-02-07
A 69-year-old Arizona woman lost her home and life savings after a romance scammer posing as a Naval officer on Facebook convinced her to send over $70,000 in payments, claiming he needed help with customs fees for packages containing gold and jewelry. The scam devastated her retirement, forcing her to sell her home and move into an apartment, and she only discovered the fraud when her financial advisor became suspicious during a loan application. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited romantic messages from strangers online, never send money to people you haven't met in person—especially for customs fees or emergencies—and consult trusted advisors like family members or financial professionals before making large financial decisions.
timesofsandiego.com
· 2026-02-07
The FBI is warning San Diego residents about romance scams, where criminals create fake online identities to build trust with victims before exploiting them for money, personal information, or valuables. In 2025, over 250 San Diego victims have already lost more than $9.6 million to these schemes, and scammers are increasingly using AI-generated content to appear more convincing. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that quickly become intimate, watch for requests for money or personal information, and verify identities before sharing sensitive details or meeting in person.
fintech.global
· 2026-02-07
Romance scams have surged significantly, with money lost rising 37% and cases up 15%, costing UK victims an average of £7,500 each across 11 payments per scam. Fraudsters typically pose as overseas contacts, celebrities, military personnel, or oil rig workers and build trust over months before requesting money for fake emergencies, travel, or medical fees. Older adults over 55 are disproportionately targeted (58% of cases), so people should be cautious of new online relationships involving financial requests and verify identities through independent channels before sending money.
eurekaspringstimesecho.net
· 2026-02-06
The Carroll County Sheriff's Office has arrested three foreign nationals working as "cash mules" for scam operations in recent operations coordinated with multiple law enforcement agencies and a social media organization. These individuals were traveling to the area to collect money from scam victims in person when electronic transfers weren't possible. The crackdown has been so effective that scam call centers have shut down operations and flagged Arkansas as hostile territory, significantly reducing scammer activity in the state.
**Actionable advice:** Be cautious if anyone requests money through unusual payment methods like Bitcoin or prepaid cards, never send cash to strangers, and report suspected scams to local law enforcement or the FBI.
newstribune.com
· 2026-02-06
The FBI's Kansas City Office is warning people about romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day, where scammers pose as romantic interests to extort money from victims. These scams exploit people seeking companionship, making them particularly prevalent around the holiday. To protect yourself, be cautious of online romantic connections that quickly escalate to requests for money or personal information.
hits96.com
· 2026-02-06
"Pig butchering" scams are targeting dating app users, where fraudsters build trust with victims over weeks or months before convincing them to invest money in fake cryptocurrency platforms. The scam primarily affects lonely individuals seeking relationships on dating apps who are manipulated into sending funds they believe will generate returns. To protect yourself, watch for red flags such as rapid relationship escalation, requests to move conversations off the dating app, and unsolicited investment opportunities—and never send money to someone you've only met online, especially for cryptocurrency investments.
techloy.com
· 2026-02-06
# Scam Compounds Summary
Thousands of people across Southeast Asia are being forced to work in compound facilities that operate online fraud schemes, particularly "pig butchering" scams that manipulate victims into sending money to fake cryptocurrency platforms. Many of the workers themselves are victims—lured with fake job offers, stripped of their passports, and trapped through debt and intimidation in what amounts to modern slavery. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities and romantic relationships that quickly push financial requests, especially involving cryptocurrency, and verify job offers through official company channels before committing.
zycrypto.com
· 2026-02-06
Arizona has lost approximately $177 million annually to crypto ATM scams, with seniors over 60 making up 43% of victims, prompting Attorney General Kris Mayes to launch a crackdown and new complaint reporting system. Scammers use various tactics including impersonation calls about legal or banking issues to trick victims into sending money through crypto ATMs, which lack protections and are difficult to trace. To protect yourself, avoid using crypto ATMs if someone urges you to do so, report scams within 30 days to the state, and be skeptical of unsolicited requests for crypto payments.
womansworld.com
· 2026-02-06
Money mule scams are a serious fraud scheme where criminals trick unsuspecting people into receiving stolen funds in their bank accounts and then transferring the money elsewhere, often using promises of easy money or by building trust through romance scams. Victims can face severe consequences including criminal charges, frozen accounts, fines, and damaged credit—even though they may not realize they're committing a crime. To protect yourself, be suspicious of anyone asking you to transfer money on their behalf, especially if they promise high pay for minimal work or if you've only recently met them.
news.az
· 2026-02-06
Scam centers operating in Myanmar have evolved online fraud from scattered hacker groups into a massive transnational industry involving human trafficking and forced labor, with thousands of workers held captive and coerced into defrauding victims worldwide. Since Myanmar's 2021 military coup weakened central government control, criminal syndicates have established "fraud factories" in border regions that target victims across China, Europe, Russia, Central Asia, and Latin America. To protect yourself, remain vigilant against unsolicited communications, verify requests for money or personal information through official channels, and report suspected scams to local authorities and relevant financial institutions.
yahoo.com
· 2026-02-06
# Romance Scam Summary
The FBI is warning the public about romance scams, particularly around Valentine's Day, where scammers create fake identities and pose as romantic partners to steal money from victims. In 2024 alone, nearly 18,000 people lost over $670 million to these scams, which can take various forms including simple requests for money due to hardship, cryptocurrency fraud, or "money mule" schemes where victims unknowingly help criminals move stolen funds. To protect yourself, watch for red flags like reluctance to meet in person, requests for money or personal information, and pressure to move conversations off dating apps—and remember that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
yahoo.com
· 2026-02-06
Romance scams cost victims over $1 billion annually and typically operate through catfishing, where scammers use manipulative language and emotional triggers to build fake relationships and extract money or personal information from victims. The article emphasizes that scammers are skilled at exploiting emotional vulnerabilities through specific phrases and communication tactics designed to lower victims' defenses over time. To protect yourself, be wary of unusual romantic language patterns, avoid sharing financial information with online-only partners, and verify the identity of people you meet exclusively online before developing emotional or financial connections.
fox5dc.com
· 2026-02-05
# Romance Scam Warning
The FBI is warning people about romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day, where scammers create fake identities on dating apps and social media to build trust with victims before asking for money, cryptocurrency, or gift cards for fake emergencies. These scams have cost victims significant amounts of money through wire transfers and other payment methods. To protect yourself, be cautious of anyone asking for money or personal information online, trust your instincts if something feels off, and report suspicious activity to the FBI at ic3.gov.
sd09.senate.ca.gov
· 2026-02-05
Since 2020, romance scammers have cost Californians over $2.7 billion by creating fake profiles on dating apps and social media to build trust with victims before requesting emergency wire transfers. These sophisticated criminals target lonely individuals through multiple channels including online dating services, email, messaging apps, and social media, often posing as romantic interests or family members and making excuses to avoid meeting in person. If you suspect you're being scammed, report it to California's Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) at (866) 275-2677 or online, and verify the identity of anyone requesting money before sending anything.
wtaj.com
· 2026-02-05
# Romance Scams on the Rise This Valentine's Day
The FBI is warning that scammers are increasingly targeting people seeking romance online by creating fake identities on dating apps and social media, building trust over time before requesting money through wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. The scams primarily affect vulnerable individuals looking for companionship who may be manipulated into sending funds during manufactured emergencies. To protect yourself, be cautious of any requests for money or personal information from online romantic interests, trust your instincts if something feels off, and report suspicious activity immediately to the FBI at ic3.gov.
fox4kc.com
· 2026-02-05
# Romance Scam Summary
The FBI is warning people about Valentine's Day romance scams, where criminals create fake online identities to build trust with victims before asking them for money or gifts. These scammers move quickly, appear genuine and caring, and may claim financial hardships or involve cryptocurrency schemes to convince victims to send money. To protect yourself, trust your instincts—if an online relationship seems too good to be true, it probably is—and report any suspected scams to the FBI.
wnegradio.com
· 2026-02-05
The FBI is warning people about romance scams that spike around Valentine's Day, where criminals pose as romantic interests on dating apps and social media to build trust before requesting money through wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. These scams primarily affect people seeking companionship who are deceived by fake identities created by fraudsters. To protect yourself, be skeptical of online romantic relationships, avoid sending money to people you haven't met in person, and report any suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
kwch.com
· 2026-02-05
# Romance Scams Summary
In 2024, over 17,900 Americans lost more than $672 million to romance scams, with these schemes becoming increasingly sophisticated as Valentine's Day approaches. To protect yourself, experts recommend verifying the identity of online contacts through video calls or photos, being wary of excuses to avoid verification, and using practical security measures like reverse image searches on profile pictures, two-factor authentication, and adjusting privacy settings to limit personal information exposure. If someone consistently avoids video calls or refuses to prove their identity, these are major red flags to end contact immediately.