Headline: DOJ warns of Valentine’s Day romance scams — crypto requests on the rise As Valentine’s Day nears, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio is sounding the alarm on a seasonal spike in romance scams that increasingly demand cryptocurrency payments. Scammers build trust over weeks or months on dating sites, social media and messaging apps, posing as romantic interests. Once a relationship feels real, they invent crises—medical emergencies, travel costs, or supposedly unmissable investment opportunities—and ask victims to send money. “Romance scammers are not looking for love — they are looking for money,” U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer warned. “They prey on trust and emotion … never send money to someone you have not met in person.” Common red flags the DOJ highlights: - Early, intense declarations of love - Persistent excuses for not meeting in person - Repeated “emergencies” that require fast payment - Unusual payment requests—especially gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency Scams have grown more sophisticated. Some victims are steered to fake investment platforms promising unrealistic returns; once funds—often crypto—are sent, the platforms vanish. National reports show romance and confidence scams have caused significant financial losses, with cryptocurrency frequently involved because its transfers are fast and irreversible. Practical tips for crypto users: - Never send money or crypto to someone you haven’t met in person or verified by video call - Be highly skeptical of investment pitches from online acquaintances - Avoid gift cards, wire transfers, and crypto transfers to unknown wallets - Use trusted exchanges and escrow services for legitimate trades - Report suspicious profiles and transactions to the platform, and to law enforcement (e.g., FBI IC3 and your U.S. Attorney’s Office) With scammers ramping up activity around holidays, vigilance matters — especially when cryptocurrency is part of the ask. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

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