Philadelphia, February 8, 2026
As Valentine’s Day nears, the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office has issued a warning about online romance scams, urging caution for those seeking companionship. These scams involve criminals fabricating identities to build emotional connections before manipulating victims for money. The FBI advises the public to be vigilant regarding personal information and communication techniques, particularly urging against sending money to individuals known only online.
Philadelphia
FBI Philadelphia Field Office Issues Valentine’s Day Romance Scam Warning
As Valentine’s Day approaches, the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office has issued a public warning to exercise caution against potential online romance and confidence fraud scams. This alert highlights the persistent efforts of criminals to deceive individuals seeking companionship through fraudulent schemes.
Understanding Romance Scams
Romance scams typically involve criminals creating fake online identities to gain a victim’s affection and trust. These scammers often use dating apps or social media platforms to build relationships, carefully earning trust before presenting fabricated emergencies or opportunities that prompt requests for money. Funds are often requested via wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards, which are difficult to trace. Romance scammers are skilled manipulators, sometimes even using AI-generated content like images, videos, and voices to make their profiles and stories more believable.
Protecting Yourself from Online Fraud
To safeguard against these scams, the FBI Philadelphia Field Office advises the public to be cautious about what information is shared publicly online, as scammers can use such details to target victims more effectively. It is important to research individuals’ photos and profiles online to check for any inconsistencies or previous use elsewhere. Individuals should proceed slowly, ask many questions, and be wary if someone quickly suggests moving communications off dating platforms or attempts to isolate them from friends and family. A significant red flag is any request for money, cryptocurrency, or personal financial information. The FBI recommends never sending money to anyone known only through online or phone communication and reporting suspected scams to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.
FBI’s Broader Efforts Against Fraud
The FBI actively investigates various criminal activities, including financial fraud and cybercrime, to protect the public. Law enforcement agencies nationwide, including the FBI, have a long history of pursuing individuals involved in criminal enterprises. The FBI Philadelphia Field Office, like other field offices, contributes to national security and investigates a wide range of criminal and security matters. In 2024, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received nearly 18,000 reports of confidence and romance fraud, amounting to a total loss nationwide of over $672 million.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the recent warning issued by the FBI Philadelphia Field Office?
- As Valentine’s Day approaches, the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office has issued a public warning to exercise caution against potential online romance and confidence fraud scams. This alert highlights the persistent efforts of criminals to deceive individuals seeking companionship through fraudulent schemes.
- What are romance scams?
- Romance scams typically involve criminals creating fake online identities to gain a victim’s affection and trust. These scammers often use dating apps or social media platforms to build relationships, carefully earning trust before presenting fabricated emergencies or opportunities that prompt requests for money. Funds are often requested via wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards, which are difficult to trace. Romance scammers are skilled manipulators, sometimes even using AI-generated content like images, videos, and voices to make their profiles and stories more believable.
- What are some ways to protect yourself from online romance scams?
- To safeguard against these scams, the FBI Philadelphia Field Office advises the public to be cautious about what information is shared publicly online, as scammers can use such details to target victims more effectively. It is important to research individuals’ photos and profiles online to check for any inconsistencies or previous use elsewhere. Individuals should proceed slowly, ask many questions, and be wary if someone quickly suggests moving communications off dating platforms or attempts to isolate them from friends and family. A significant red flag is any request for money, cryptocurrency, or personal financial information. The FBI recommends never sending money to anyone known only through online or phone communication and reporting suspected scams to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.
- What is the role of the FBI regarding such criminal activities?
- The FBI actively investigates various criminal activities, including financial fraud and cybercrime, to protect the public. Law enforcement agencies nationwide, including the FBI, have a long history of pursuing individuals involved in criminal enterprises. The FBI Philadelphia Field Office, like other field offices, contributes to national security and investigates a wide range of criminal and security matters. In 2024, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received nearly 18,000 reports of confidence and romance fraud, amounting to a total loss nationwide of over $672 million.
Key Features of Romance Scams and Prevention
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Warning Issued By | FBI Philadelphia Field Office | State-level |
| Warning Topic | Online Romance and Confidence Fraud Scams | State-level |
| Timing | Ahead of Valentine’s Day | State-level |
| Scam Mechanics | Criminals create fake online identities, build emotional relationships, then request money (wire transfers, cryptocurrency, gift cards) for fabricated emergencies or opportunities. They may use AI-generated content. | Nationwide |
| Prevention Tips | Be cautious of shared online information, research profiles/photos, proceed slowly, ask questions, be wary of quick moves off platforms or isolation attempts. Never send money to online-only contacts. Report scams to ic3.gov. | Nationwide |
| FBI’s Role | Investigates financial fraud and cybercrime to protect the public. Pursues criminal enterprises. The IC3 received nearly 18,000 reports of romance fraud in 2024, with losses exceeding $672 million nationwide. | Nationwide |
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Author: STAFF HERE PHILADELPHIA WRITER
The PHILADELPHIA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhiladelphia.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mummers Parade, Philadelphia Flower Show, and Thanksgiving Day Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Philadelphia, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, food services, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Comcast, Aramark, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Pennsylvania's dynamic landscape.
