Valentine’s Day is a time for love and romance, but it’s also a time when scammers are on the prowl. Several US government agencies and non-profits have issued warnings about the dangers of romance scams connected to this romantic holiday.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been particularly vocal about the issue, issuing statements to warn citizens in Texas and New Mexico about the prevalence of romance scams. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), romance scams have led to some of the highest financial losses compared to other online crimes. In 2021 alone, victims of online romance scams lost approximately $5.9 billion nationwide.
Special Agent Jeffrey R. Downey of the FBI El Paso Field Office emphasized the manipulative tactics used by romance scammers, urging victims not to feel embarrassed and to come forward if they suspect they have been targeted. The FBI is committed to bringing these scammers to justice and preventing them from preying on others.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has also joined the chorus of warnings, publishing a blog post to raise awareness about Valentine’s Day scam alerts. Mika Aalto, CEO of enterprise security solution provider Hoxhunt, highlighted the effectiveness of romance scams on dating sites, where individuals are more likely to trust strangers in search of love and companionship.
Matthew Psencik, director of endpoint security at Tanium, echoed Aalto’s sentiments, advising individuals to be wary of strange diction or overly personal messages from potential scammers. By challenging suspicious individuals with obscure personal questions, individuals can potentially thwart scammers’ attempts to manipulate the conversation.
These warnings come on the heels of a recent announcement by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) about seizing seven domain names linked to a “pig butchering” romance scam campaign that utilized cryptocurrency transactions. This serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and caution when interacting with strangers online, especially during vulnerable times like Valentine’s Day.
As we celebrate love and romance this Valentine’s Day, let’s also remember to protect ourselves from potential scammers who seek to exploit our emotions for financial gain. Stay informed, stay cautious, and report any suspicious activity to the authorities to help prevent others from falling victim to romance scams.