With Valentine’s Day a few days away, officials are reminding the public to be aware and avoid heartbreak from the hidden dangers of online relationships.
OHIO, USA — With Valentine’s Day approaching, FBI Cleveland and the Ohio Department of Commerce are reminding the public to stay vigilant when engaging in online relationships and to be aware of potential scams.
Romance scams are on the rise and remain persistent, typically starting when a fraudster creates a fake profile on a dating site or social media platform, according to the state and federal agencies in separate warnings issued Tuesday.
The scammer deceives victims into believing they are in a trusting relationship before fabricating financial hardships and persuading them to send money, gift cards, cryptocurrency or valuable items.
Confidence scams include leading someone to believe they are in a relationship as a “friend” or family member. Criminals posing as family members or friends manipulate victims into providing money, financial details or even laundering funds on their behalf. Common tactics are the “Grandparent’s Scheme” and schemes in which fraudsters target an individual’s “heartstrings,” by claiming someone is in trouble, ill or in an urgent situation.
“While the ability to connect online has never been easier, so too is the risk of becoming victim to a scammer. At any given moment, we can log in to meet new ‘friends’ with shared interests, play a virtual game with someone on the other side of the world, engage in a conversation with a person who may tell us they are a distant relative, or strike up a romance through a dating app,” said FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Greg Nelsen. “Sadly, if you are on a device, you are vulnerable, no matter your age, gender or technological savviness. The FBI wants to remind the public about these schemes and educate people about the stories these fraudsters will use.”
Millions Lost to Scams in 2023 and 2024
According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, Ohioans lost more than $15.3 million to confidence fraud and romance scams in 2023. Since Jan. 1, 2023, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Securities has been involved in eight cases regarding alleged romance-related solicitation.
Over 17,800 complaints related to online romance fraud were received by the FBI with nationwide losses exceeding $652 million in 2023. The Federal Trade Commission reported $823 million in losses related to romance scams in 2024.
“I can’t think of anything riskier in the markets today than investing with your heart online. We need to keep our online relationships personal and our money professional,” Ohio Securities Commissioner Andrea Seidt said. “These romance scammers have become incredibly sophisticated and the only way Ohioans can truly protect themselves today from these scams is to stop sending their money to offshore platforms and to run all online investing tips by a licensed investment professional located here in the United States.”
Most commonly, scammers are men targeting women over 40 who are divorced, widowed, elderly or disabled, the FBI said. The scam usually begins with an “innocent” contact online while building from there. These criminals use well-rehearsed scripts and detailed records to manipulate their victims, building trust before making financial demands.
Scammers scour dating websites, apps, chat rooms and social media to target potential victims. Many spend hours perfecting their deception, stealing photos and identities to appear more legitimate. They also collect information on their victims to research how to better manipulate and exploit them.
Scammers will often claim to live or work in other parts of the country or the world.
“Eventually, when they feel they have gained the trust of their victims, these criminals will request money, oftentimes for a medical emergency for themselves, a child, or family member, an unexpected legal fee, or some other false purpose, including a church, charity, or natural disaster,” the FBI said. “They may send a courier, ‘friend,’ or ride share to your home or suggest someplace public to meet to hand over the asset. They may even say that it must be done privately for your safety.”
How to Spot and Avoid Romance Scams
FBI Cleveland and the Ohio Department of Commerce urge anyone who interacts with new people online to remain cautious and conduct due diligence before trusting someone they meet on the internet, recommending these tips:
- Be cautious about sharing personal details online—scammers use this information to build rapport.
- Only use dating sites and apps with well-known reputations. Research photos and profiles to make sure no one else has used that name or image elsewhere. It may take time, but it will be well worth it in the long run.
- Be wary of anyone who isolates you from friends or family, asks for financial information or requests inappropriate photos. This can later be used to extort you.
- Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person, no matter how convincing their story.
- Never send money to wallets you don’t control or offshore platforms unless you’re prepared to lose it. Recovering funds from overseas scammers is nearly impossible.
- If possible, confirm an online acquaintance’s identity by meeting in a public place. Scammers can now use deepfake technology to manipulate phone, email, and even video chats.
- Never transfer funds via unregulated apps or platforms based on advice from an online acquaintance. Only follow guidance from a licensed investment professional.
- Verify the background of anyone promoting online investments through resources like the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure database or FINRA’s BrokerCheck.
- Avoid investment opportunities that guarantee “low- or no-risk” returns or feature flashy screenshots of massive profits—these are common signs of fraud.
- Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is.
Common red flags of investment scams according to the Ohio Department of Commerce include:
- Avoidance of in-person or video meetings: Scammers often refuse face-to-face interactions or video calls to conceal their true identity.
- Claims of a long-distance relationship: Fraudsters may say they live far away or travel frequently to discourage in-person meetings.
- Boasting of wealth or success: Scammers often exaggerate their financial status, sometimes using fake screenshots, to entice victims into fraudulent investment schemes.
- Pressure to send money or invest: After gaining trust, scammers may request financial assistance or promote fake investment opportunities, often providing fabricated evidence of high returns.
- Request to keep conversations secret: Fraudsters may urge victims to keep conversations private, particularly about investments, which can signal an attempt to deceive and manipulate.
“The best advice I can give is to encourage friends and family members to have open, honest discussions with one another about these dangers,” Nelson said. “And be wary about people you meet online who begin to ask or pressure you into sharing personal identifying information, ask you to send money, bitcoin, or gold; or threaten you or someone you love with physical, financial, or emotional harm.”
What Should You Do If You’ve Been Scammed?
If you suspect you or someone you know is being scammed, call 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit ic3.gov to file a report. Victims should also contact their financial institution immediately if money has already been sent.
For romance investment scams, you should also contact the Investor Protection Hotline at 1-877-683-7841 or email sgeneral@com.ohio.gov.
For more information on romance scams, visit FBI.gov/romancescams and the Ohio Department of Commerce’s online romance scam resource at this link.
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