As Valentine’s Day nears, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio is warning residents about a rise in romance scams targeting individuals online. Authorities say scammers use dating websites, social media, and messaging apps to build trust with victims before requesting money under false pretenses.
United States Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio stated, “Romance scammers are not looking for love—they are looking for money. They prey on trust and emotion and often target older Americans and vulnerable individuals. We urge everyone to slow down, verify identities, and never send money to someone they have not met in person.”
The office reports that criminals behind these scams may create fake profiles using stolen photos, claim to work overseas in fields such as the military or international business, and quickly profess strong feelings or commitment. These scammers often attempt to move conversations off public platforms onto private messaging apps.
Warning signs include early declarations of affection, refusal or excuses to avoid meeting in person, frequent emergencies requiring financial help, requests for payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency, inconsistent stories or poor grammar, and asking victims to receive or forward funds—potentially turning them into unwitting “money mules.”
To protect themselves, individuals are advised not to send money or gifts to anyone they have not met face-to-face. Conducting reverse image searches of profile photos and consulting trusted friends or family before sending funds is recommended. Suspicious activity should be reported immediately.
Victims are urged to cease communication with suspected scammers but retain all correspondence and financial records. They should contact their bank right away and file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov or notify local law enforcement.
Recent incidents in Northern Ohio include a Ghanaian national charged with running romance scams that defrauded elderly victims of over $8 million and an Ohio woman who lost her life savings in a cryptocurrency investment scam.
The Department of Justice continues efforts with both domestic and international partners to investigate these crimes and prosecute those responsible.
Individuals aged 60 or older who believe they have been targeted can call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., seven days a week. The hotline provides guidance on reporting frauds promptly; timely reports may improve chances of recovering losses. More information is available at https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/stop-elder-fraud/providing-help-restoring-hope.
