The Better Business Bureau once more warns against romance scams this Valentine’s Day.
BBB spokesperson Sydney Waters says the difference this year is that AI tools and crypto-currency will likely be utilized more.
"The big deal with romance scams in 2025 is that they will be more advanced this year. We have scammers who can use AI tools and we also have crypto-currency, which gives new dimensions to these old scams."
Waters says to pay attention to certain red flags when online dating.
Scammers may make excuses not to meet, often claiming to have an overseas job preventing them from calling you. If someone you meet online seems too good to be true, that may be another sign that a scammer is fishing you.
Be skeptical if a relationship moves too fast. Bold romantic statements from someone who just met you could be a sign of manipulation or a scam.
Odd language use like poor spelling or grammar is also a red flag, just as sentences with no mistakes could suggest you are talking to an AI chatbot.
Do not send or move money, even if the person claims to need it for an emergency. This is especially a reg flag if they request multiple payments over time.
Scammers may pretend to be successful investors who ask for money and lie about investing it into crypto-currency.
Research the legitimacy of any investment platform recommended to you online, as they may be fake websites set up by scammers. Check BBB.org for reviews, warnings, and verifications for other platforms.
