With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is issuing an important warning to residents about the rising threat of romance scams.
Romance scams occur when a fraudster creates a fake identity to gain someone’s trust, exploit their emotions, and ultimately manipulate or steal from them. According to the Federal Trade Commission, New Yorkers reported more than $42 million in losses due to romance scams through the first three quarters of 2025 — a stark reminder of how destructive these schemes can be.
Certain groups, particularly older adults including widows, widowers, and recent divorcees, are often targeted. The scams typically take place online where criminals can easily build fake profiles on social media, dating apps, messaging platforms, and other sites.
“So-called ‘romance scams’ exploit people’s emotions and trust, and no New Yorker should have to pay the price, emotionally or financially, for unscrupulous actors,” said New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “As online interactions become more common, especially around Valentine’s Day, it’s critical that consumers know the warning signs used by romance scammers and take steps to protect themselves and their finances. The Division of Consumer Protection has the tools and information New Yorkers need to stay safe.”
How Romance Scams Work
Scammers use a variety of tactics to build trust and manipulate victims, including:
- Fake profiles: Using stolen images or AI-generated deepfakes on dating sites, social media, or other online platforms.
- Unexpected contact: Reaching out with messages based on information found online to spark conversations.
- Trust building: Communicating for weeks or months to create emotional connection.
- Avoiding in-person meetings: Offering excuses — such as work abroad — to avoid meeting in real life.
- Money requests: Asking for small sums initially, then escalating to large financial requests for emergencies, investments, travel, or other reasons.
- Cryptocurrency schemes: Pushing victims to invest in fake crypto opportunities that appear legitimate through fraudulent websites.
- Liability traps: Pressuring victims to move or launder money, potentially exposing them to legal and financial risks.
Tips to Avoid Romance Scams
To stay safe, the Division of Consumer Protection recommends:
- Never send money — especially to someone you haven’t met in person. Prepaid cards, gift cards, and cryptocurrency are as good as cash and unrecoverable once sent.
- Protect personal information. Don’t share banking or financial details with online contacts.
- Use caution on dating platforms. Be wary of messages that push you to leave the platform quickly.
- Be skeptical of claims of being abroad or an American deployed overseas.
- Verify identities with live video chats. These are harder to fake than photos or voice calls.
- Research new acquaintances online. Look for inconsistencies or duplicate images tied to other identities.
- Manage your privacy settings. Limit access to your personal information.
- Cover or disable web cameras when not in use.
- Talk with someone you trust about your online relationships.
For more consumer protection tips and resources, visit the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection online. Stay alert and protect your heart — and your wallet — this Valentine’s Day.
