Law Enforcement Warns of Rise in Romance Scams

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – Romance scams are on the rise, and law enforcement agencies are warning those looking for love this Valentine’s Day to be on guard.

Romance scams occur when a criminal adopts a fake online identity to gain a victim’s affection and trust. The scammer then uses the illusion of a romantic or close relationship to manipulate and/or steal from the victim.

Victims across the country lost more than $1.5 billion to romance scams in the last five years.

FBI officials say there is a rising trend in which romance scammers persuade individuals to send money and to invest or trade cryptocurrency.

The FBI says never send money to someone you have solely met online.