FBI Warns of Romance Scams Targeting Valentine's Day Seekers

Scammers use fake identities to gain victims' trust and steal their money, authorities say.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Ahead of Valentine's Day, the FBI is warning people to be extra cautious on dating websites, apps, and social media as scammers are looking to take advantage of those seeking love. The FBI says romance scams, also known as confidence fraud, become more prevalent around this time of year as criminals use fake identities to quickly establish relationships and then ask victims for money.

Why it matters

Romance scams can have a devastating impact on both victims' hearts and bank accounts. The FBI says these types of scams often target women over 40, those who are widowed or divorced, and people with disabilities, resulting in millions of dollars in losses each year.

The details

Scammers behind romance scams tend to try to establish a relationship quickly by overwhelming someone with intense affection and attention. They may even propose marriage and make plans to meet in person, but only to ask the victim for money, often under the pretense of a medical emergency or unexpected accident. The criminals also try to avoid meeting in person by coming up with various excuses or claiming they live or work in other parts of the world or country.

  • Ahead of the most romantic holiday of the year, authorities warned people on February 12, 2026 to be extra cautious.

The players

Akil Davis

Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office.

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What they’re saying

“Romance scams can have a devastating impact on hearts as well as bank accounts. Anyone looking for love in cyberspace should make sure they keep their feet on the ground by educating themselves about the risks.”

— Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office

What’s next

The FBI is encouraging anyone who believes they have been a victim of a romance scam to file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

The takeaway

This warning highlights the importance of being cautious when seeking romantic connections online, especially around holidays like Valentine's Day when scammers are known to target vulnerable individuals. Taking steps to verify someone's identity and intentions can help protect people from falling victim to these devastating financial and emotional scams.