As Valentine’s Day approaches, many people are looking for connection, companionship, and love. Unfortunately, scammers are too.
Romance scams are one of the most emotionally and financially devastating forms of fraud, and they spike around holidays like Valentine’s Day. Each year, Americans lose over $1 billion to romance scams, according to the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA), with many cases going unreported.
Victims often suffer in silence, making these crimes harder to detect and prevent. “Generally, we find folks don’t want to talk about their experiences getting scammed, although we wish they would just to save others,” said Tom Lacock, AARP Wyoming. “I can tell you the romance scam is among the worst we see because it is a betrayal financially and emotionally. Rebuilding your finances is hard enough, but the hurt from letting yourself be vulnerable enough to let someone into your life is devastating.”
According to AARP, nearly one in ten adults over 50 have experienced an online romantic approach that led to a request for money or to a cryptocurrency investment scam. One in six adults reported that they or someone they know lost money to a romance scam, but over half of the crimes are never reported.
These scams don’t just target people looking for romance, they also affect friendships, fan relationships, and even casual online conversations. Knowing how they work is the first step to protecting yourself and the people you love.
What Is a Romance Scam?
A romance scam occurs when a criminal creates a fake online identity to build an emotional relationship with a victim. Not for love, but to steal money or personal information.
Scammers often meet victims on:
- Dating apps
- Social media platforms
- Messaging apps
- Even through “wrong number” texts
They invest time building trust over days, weeks, or even months, sharing personal stories, expressing deep feelings, and creating believable hardships. Eventually, they ask for money, and once it’s sent, it is usually gone for good (Federal Trade Commission).
Common Red Flags to Watch For
Romance scammers tend to follow predictable scripts. Be cautious if someone you’ve met online:
- Asks for money or financial help
Common excuses include medical emergencies, travel costs, military deployment fees, business problems, or investment opportunities.
- Requests hard-to-trace payments
Such as gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or payment apps. Methods that are difficult or impossible to reverse (FTC).
- Claims to live or work far away
Often overseas, in the military, on an oil rig, or constantly traveling.
- Avoids meeting in person or cancels repeatedly
Even video calls aren’t foolproof anymore, as AI deepfakes are increasingly used.
- Moves the relationship very fast
Professions of love within days or weeks are a major warning sign.
- Pushes communication off the platform
Asking to move to encrypted apps like WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, text, or email helps scammers avoid detection (National Cybersecurity Alliance).
If any request for money or financial information appears, end the conversation immediately.
What You Might Not Know About Romance Scams
Today’s scammers are more sophisticated than ever. Research from the Center for Emerging Technology and Security (CETaS) shows that scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to automate and scale romance fraud.
- AI-generated photos and personas can bypass traditional reverse image searches.
- Deepfake audio and video are now used during live video calls to convincingly impersonate real people (CETaS; McAfee).
- AI chat tools help scammers craft realistic, emotionally engaging messages at scale.
- Established scam networks in West Africa and Southeast Asia are already integrating AI into industrialized fraud operations (CETaS).
According to McAfee, scammers can now use real-time face-swapping technology during video chats, making it harder than ever to rely solely on appearances as proof of authenticity.
Romance scams aren’t always romantic.
The AARP Fraud Watch Network warns of a growing trend called friendship scams, where criminals build long-term platonic relationships instead of romantic ones.
These scams often begin with:
- Social media comments or direct messages
- Shared interests or life experiences
- “Wrong number” texts that turn into conversations
Over time, sometimes months or years, trust deepens. Eventually, the scammer asks for money or pitches a “can’t-miss” investment opportunity. Because the relationship isn’t romantic, victims may be less suspicious, making these scams harder to recognize.
Wyoming Encounters: Romance Scams Close to Home
Law enforcement across Wyoming reports that scammers have stolen more than $4.6 million from residents using cryptocurrency ATMs, $3 million in Gillette alone, according to Cowboy State Daily (January 31, 2026).
Cheyenne Police Sgt. Kevin Malatesta explained that scammers increasingly direct victims to crypto ATMs because there are no tellers or gatekeepers to question suspicious behavior. Once money is sent, it is nearly impossible to recover.
“These scams are a long-term thing,” Malatesta said. “They’re giving money over the course of weeks, months, or even years.” (Cowboy State Daily).
Law enforcement officers across Wyoming report that many of these cases involve romance scams, where victims are emotionally manipulated into sending repeated payments.
Wyoming country artist Chancey Williams recently warned fans about fake social media accounts impersonating him.
According to My Country 95.5, scammers are:
- Using AI-generated photos and videos of Williams
- Pretending to form personal or romantic connections
- Asking fans to move conversations off platforms
- Requesting money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency
Williams emphasized that he does not DM fans, does not ask for money, and is not secretly in love with you. Fans are urged to block, report, and only trust verified accounts (My Country 95.5).
How to Protect Yourself and Others
- Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person
- Do a reverse image search, but remember AI images may not appear elsewhere
- Slow relationships down
- Share concerns with a trusted friend or family member
- Be cautious about what you share publicly online
- Use privacy settings on social media and dating apps
You can also try the National Cybersecurity Alliance’s dating app simulator, Phisher, to practice spotting scammers before they steal your heart or your money.
What to Do If You’re Targeted or Scammed
If you suspect a romance or friendship scam:
- Stop communicating immediately
- Save all evidence — messages, usernames, payment records
- Contact your bank or financial institution right away
- Report the scam to:
- Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: IC3.gov
- The platform where the contact occurred
- Local law enforcement
Reporting helps authorities track patterns and prevent future victims, even when money can’t be recovered.
Romance scams don’t target intelligence or technical skill, they exploit human connection. Anyone can be a victim.
This Valentine’s Day and beyond, protect your heart, protect your finances, and check in on loved ones who may be navigating new online relationships. Awareness is one of the strongest defenses we have.
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