As Valentine’s Day draws near, U.S. authorities are urging people to stay alert online. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio has issued a public warning about a rise in romance scams, a type of fraud that often begins with online flirting and ends with victims losing money — sometimes in the form of cryptocurrency.
Officials say these scams are becoming more common and more convincing. Criminals create fake personas on dating platforms, social media, and messaging apps, slowly building trust with their targets. The conversations can last for weeks or even months, making the relationship feel real. Eventually, the scammer introduces a “problem” that requires money — such as a sudden medical emergency, travel costs to finally meet in person, or an “investment opportunity” that promises fast profits.
In many cases, victims are asked to send funds in ways that are hard to trace or reverse, including gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Authorities stress that once the money is sent, it is often impossible to recover.
U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer summed it up clearly: romance scammers aren’t searching for love — they’re searching for cash. These criminals take advantage of people’s emotions and trust, especially during times when many are feeling lonely or eager to connect, such as around Valentine’s Day. His advice is simple but powerful: never send money to someone you haven’t met in person.
According to federal officials, many of these scams follow a familiar playbook. Fraudsters often use stolen photos to build attractive fake profiles. They may claim to be working overseas in the military, on oil rigs, or in international business — convenient reasons for why they can’t meet face-to-face. The scammer may express strong feelings unusually quickly, talking about love or commitment early in the relationship. Soon after, they try to move the conversation away from public platforms into private messaging apps, where there is less oversight.
There are also financial red flags to watch for. Repeated stories about emergencies, sudden financial trouble, or urgent requests for help should raise alarms. Another growing tactic involves fake crypto investment platforms. Victims are guided to websites or apps that look legitimate and promise high returns. Once money is deposited, the platform — and the scammer — disappears.
National reports show that romance and confidence scams account for major financial losses each year, with cryptocurrency playing a growing role due to its speed and difficulty to trace. Authorities encourage anyone who suspects a scam to stop communicating immediately and report the activity to the relevant platform and law enforcement.
Bottom line: if an online “romance” starts asking for money, especially in crypto, it’s time to step back. Love shouldn’t come with a price tag.
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