(KNOX) –
On this Valentine’s Day, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is warning residents about online romance scams.
The warning is the first in a series of monthly Scam Stopper alerts that Attorney General Ellison will issue to help protect Minnesota consumers from fraud.
He says bad actors can be relentless in trying to trick Minnesotans out of their hard-earned money through dating sites and apps, social media platforms and e-mail.
Scammers will either directly ask for money, often by inventing an emergency in their personal life or offering an investment opportunity, or they will ask indirectly by expressing concern about their financial situation or ability to visit the victim in the hopes that a person will offer to send funds.
Ellison advises be wary of people who you are never able to meet in person. Don’t send money or information to someone you have never met in person.
Ellison says if a romance scam happens to you, keep copies of all communications with the scammer and file a complaint with of the attorney general’s office online at www.ag.state.mn.us.
The toll-free number is 800-657-3787.
