This Valentine's Day, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is cautioning residents about the prevalence of romance scams. These scams often target individuals on social media and dating sites, exploiting their desire for connection by deceitfully extracting money.
Attorney General Mayes emphasizes, “We all love love—but often, the person at the other end of the app or website is really a romance scammer trying to take advantage of your trust and your savings.” She advises Arizonans to recognize signs of deception to safeguard themselves and their finances.
Romance scammers typically create fictitious profiles on platforms like Facebook or Instagram. They quickly build relationships with victims through frequent communication, eventually fabricating stories that prompt requests for money. The Federal Trade Commission identifies common deceptions as claims of needing funds due to a sick relative or friend, sharing supposed investment tips, or being in the military with urgent financial needs.
Warning indicators include someone who rapidly professes love, portrays themselves as a distant hero such as a soldier, repeatedly cancels plans to meet in person, urgently requests money for emergencies, or asks for funds via wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrencies.
Attorney General Mayes suggests several precautions: refrain from sending money to strangers met online; be cautious when sharing personal details on social media; scrutinize inconsistencies in stories; consult friends and family if uncertain about someone’s intentions; cease contact if suspecting a scam; and trust one’s instincts if something appears too good to be true.
Victims of romance scams can report incidents to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. Those believing they have encountered consumer fraud can file complaints with the Arizona Attorney General's Office through www.azag.gov/consumer or by contacting local office numbers provided.