“Romance scams are an epidemic. They prey on people from all walks of life. The scams typically originate via text, social media, dating sites, and any site [where] you can interact with others,” says John M. Griffin, a renowned forensic finance expert and finance professor at McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin.

Romance scams cost US victims over $1 billion in 2023. Authorities warn of rising online fraud, as tech firms crack down on scammers targeting lonely individuals.

Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta Platforms is urging users to stay vigilant about “romance scams” ahead of Valentine’s Day, warning of unsolicited messages through its apps and other social media platforms,