PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — While romance scams are not exclusive to Valentine’s Day, law enforcement agencies and public offices are using the holiday to warn those looking for online love to recognize the signs of a money scheme.
Americans lose millions of dollars every year to catfishing schemes on dating sites. George Clark, a U.S. postal inspector based in Philadelphia, said scammers move very fast.
“They’ll tell people they love them — that’s a pretty big thing to say when you’ve never even met the person,” he said. “Once the scammer feels that they have the victim convinced of that love, they’ll start to ask them for money. … That’s a big, big red flag.”
Some of these online profiles may fabricate an urgent need for money, like a medical emergency or business problem. And, authorities said, they may make unusual requests to deliver that money, such as gift cards, checks in the mail, or money orders — often addressed to someone else entirely.
If you do fall prey to a scammer, cut off contact immediately, Clark said.
“If you can delete that email, delete that email. If you can change your number, do it. Once you’ve been targeted, the cost to keep contacting you — for the scammer — is very low,” he said.
Oftentimes, victims are vulnerable, Clark said. They may be depressed or have just suffered a loss. He said it’s important to recognize friends and family who could be at risk.
“I can’t over-emphasize the importance of us looking out for a loved one,” he added. “If they’re not picking up the red flags but they’re telling you things that sound like red flags, help them get out of it.”
Victims should report the scammer to the dating platform and also submit complaints to law enforcement, including the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, and the Federal Trade Commission.