FBI Warns of Rising Online Romance Scams Ahead of Valentine's Day

Scammers create fake identities and build trust on dating apps and social media before requesting money.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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The FBI in Philadelphia is warning the public about an increase in online romance scams targeting those looking for love this Valentine's Day. Scammers typically create fake identities, build relationships with victims on dating apps and social media, and then request money in the form of wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards under the guise of emergencies or opportunities.

Why it matters

Romance scams can be devastating for victims, who often lose significant sums of money to these fraudsters. The FBI is aiming to raise awareness about these types of scams to help protect people from falling victim, especially around holidays like Valentine's Day when people may be more vulnerable to these types of schemes.

The details

According to the FBI, scammers will create fake identities and gradually build trust with victims over time on dating apps and social media. Once they have established a relationship, the scammers will then create fake emergencies or opportunities that require the victim to send them money, often in the form of wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards.

  • The FBI warning comes ahead of Valentine's Day 2026.

The players

FBI Philadelphia

The Philadelphia division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which is issuing the warning about online romance scams.

Wayne A. Jacobs

The FBI Philadelphia Special Agent in Charge who is advising the public to be cautious when seeking companionship online.

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What they’re saying

“Don't just follow your heart – trust your gut when seeking companionship online. Requests for money, cryptocurrency, or your personal information are clear warning signs of a scam, not a legitimate relationship. If you encounter any of these red flags or something doesn't feel right, end all communication immediately and report the activity to the FBI at ic3.gov.”

— Wayne A. Jacobs, FBI Philadelphia Special Agent in Charge (wtaj.com)

What’s next

The FBI is encouraging the public to learn more about common frauds and scams on their website.

The takeaway

This warning highlights the importance of being cautious when building relationships online, especially around holidays like Valentine's Day when people may be more vulnerable to romance scams. Recognizing the red flags, such as requests for money or personal information, and reporting any suspicious activity to the FBI can help protect people from falling victim to these devastating frauds.