Scammers Are Looking for Love Too – Here’s How to Stay Safe Online

Valentine’s Day is a time for love and connection, but for scammers, it’s also a prime opportunity to exploit emotions and financial vulnerabilities. Romance scams have become an all-too-common threat, with fraudsters posing as attractive individuals, successful professionals, or even military personnel to deceive unsuspecting victims. These scams are not just limited to dating apps—they spread through social media, emails, and even discussion forums.

On February 12, Meta joined forces with leading internet safety expert and ethical hacker Rachel Tobac to share crucial tips on spotting and avoiding romance scams. Their message is clear: staying vigilant and informed is the best defense.

How Romance Scammers Operate

Romance scammers craft elaborate personas, often using stolen or fake identities to gain trust. They engage victims in heartfelt conversations, build an emotional connection, and then make urgent financial requests—often disguised as emergencies, travel expenses, or investment opportunities. Sometimes, they impersonate celebrities, leveraging their public appeal to manipulate victims.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Beware of Unsolicited Messages

Scammers frequently initiate contact through ‘cold’ messages—random connection requests on social media, dating platforms, or messaging apps. If someone you don’t know suddenly reaches out, be cautious. Utilize in-app settings on platforms like Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp to control who can contact you.

2. Verify, Verify, Verify

Be politely paranoid when engaging with new connections online. If someone seems too good to be true, take steps to verify their identity:

• Look up their profile details online.
• Check when their account was created—new or sparse profiles can be red flags.
• Conduct a reverse image search to see if their photos have been stolen from elsewhere.

3. Never Send Money or Personal Information

If someone you’ve just met online asks for money, gift cards, or sensitive details, it’s likely a scam. Scammers often fabricate urgent crises to push their victims into making quick payments. Remember: genuine connections do not require financial transactions.

How Meta is Combating Romance Scams

Beyond raising awareness, Meta actively detects and removes fraudulent accounts. Through collaboration with open-source researchers at Graphika, Meta has identified and shut down scam networks, blocked fraudulent websites, and strengthened its enforcement efforts.

As digital fraud tactics evolve, so must our awareness. This Valentine’s Day, protect your heart—and your wallet—by staying informed, skeptical, and proactive. Love is real, but so are the scams. Stay safe.