Looking for love on Valentine's Day? Watch out for scams!

Looking for love this Valentine’s Day? Look out for scams.

Scammers use fake online dating profiles to pursue a relationship with someone and gain their trust. They will eventually ask for money or present an investment opportunity, sometimes after spending weeks or months building a relationship.

“Investment scams and romance scams are among the riskiest reported to BBB,” says Pamela Hernandez of the Springfield, Missouri Better Business Bureau office.

“Both are high-stakes scams where strong trust is built over a long period of time and then exploited for thousands of dollars – and scammers often combine them, she adds.

What’s more, AI tools and cryptocurrency are lending new dimensions to these age-old
scam tactics.

AI and romance scams

Scammers have begun using generative AI for fake romantic conversations. Text generated by AI eliminates giveaways like misspelled words and poor grammar, and scammers can use automated AI chatbots to talk to more people and identify potential targets. Some AI programs can also simulate voices, generate images or create fake video footage, making fake profiles more realistic and reducing the time it takes to set them up.

Cryptocurrency and romance scams

In recent years, scammers have been building relationships with the purpose of introducing their targets to cryptocurrency. BBB’s 2024 study on investment scams found that many scammers built a relationship with targets in which they pretended to be successful cryptocurrency investors and offered investment advice. They then asked for multiple payments over time to “invest” in cryptocurrency on behalf of their target.

Online dating is great – just keep your guard up. Be cautious if someone asks you for money or personal information, even if you’ve been talking to them for a long time.

What are the red flags of a romance scam?

● Making excuses not to meet. Scammers often claim to be in the military or have an overseas job that keeps them from meeting or calling you.

● Too good to be true. Use a healthy sense of skepticism if someone seems TOO perfect, attractive or successful. While you might have found a catch, it’s also possible a scammer is fishing for you.

● Moving too fast. If someone says right away that they’ve never felt this way before or starts planning your future together, they might be making bold romantic statements to try to manipulate you.

● Using odd language. If the person you’re talking with claims to be from your hometown but has very poor spelling or grammar, or uses phrases that are overly flowery or don’t make sense, beware. On the other hand, writing with absolutely no mistakes might be a sign of AI.

● Asking you to talk on another app. Scammers will quickly try to get you to move to email, messenger or phone.

● Talking about trust and how important it is. This is often the first step to asking you for money.

How can I confirm if I’m talking to a scammer?

● Check for fake profiles.

You can do a reverse image lookup using a website likeTinEye or Google to see if the photos on a profile are stolen from somewhere else.

Scammers might use AI to generate a fake photo – check out these tips on how to spot one. You can also search online for a profile name, email or phone number to see what adds up and what doesn’t. Ask your date specific questions about their profile to see if they stumble.

● Talk to friends and family. Your loved ones can be a gauge to tell if you’re in an unsafe situation. Talk to them and pay attention if they react with concern.

How can I protect myself from scams?

● Don’t send or move money – even for someone you’ve been talking to for a long time. Scammers will claim to have an emergency, a sick relative or a tragic past. Never send money, cryptocurrency or gift cards, or give someone your credit card information. Don’t move money for anyone, as they might be trying to trick you into being a “money mule” (moving illegal money from other scams), which can result in criminal charges.

● Verify investment opportunities. If someone recommends an investment platform to you, especially if it’s cryptocurrency, research it independently. It could be a fake website created by a scammer. Check BBB.org for reviews and warnings, and check if the platform is registered with financial regulatory authorities. Remember that money transferred via cryptocurrency wallets can be difficult to track and recover.

● Don’t send private information or pictures. Cut contact if someone starts asking you for information like your credit card, bank or government ID numbers.

● Report scams. If you think you’ve been targeted by a romance scam, report it to BBB Scam Tracker. It will help other people stay safe!