SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — As Valentine’s Day approaches, the FBI Springfield office has cautioned the public to be vigilant about online relationships, warning that not all digital connections are genuine.
The FBI said while many people find meaningful relationships through the internet, far too many fall victim to romance scams.
Romance scams typically involve criminals adopting fake identities to gain a victim’s trust and affection, ultimately exploiting them for financial gain. These fraudsters often use dating websites and social media platforms to target individuals, establishing relationships quickly to manipulate and deceive their victims.
In 2023, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported that Illinois residents lost nearly $19 million to romance scams, a slight increase from the previous year. Nationwide, romance scam losses totaled $652.5 million in 2023, marking a steady decline since 2021 but still reflecting a significant financial and emotional toll on victims.
FBI Springfield Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher Johnson emphasized the importance of awareness and education in preventing these scams.
“If someone has already sent money, the FBI will make every effort to recover those funds by working with law enforcement agencies and financial institutions,” Johnson said. “However, these cases can be difficult to investigate, which is why we stress the importance of caution from the very beginning to avoid the emotional and financial damage caused by romance scams.”
The FBI warned that scammers actively search for victims on dating sites, chat rooms, and social networking platforms. The FBI Springfield said there are warning signs to watch for, those include:
The individual requests to move communication off the dating platform to private messages or emails.
They send overly polished or glamorous photos that resemble professional model shots.
They profess love unusually quickly.
They attempt to isolate victims from family and friends.
They claim to be working or living far away, often overseas.
Plans to meet in person repeatedly fall through due to sudden emergencies.
They request money, personal information, or items of value.
They use tragic or urgent life circumstances to solicit financial assistance.
They claim to have lucrative cryptocurrency investment opportunities that promise high returns.
To avoid falling victim to a romance scam, FBI Springfield recommends people looking for love online take their time and ask questions. If someone suspects a scam, they should stop communication immediately.
The FBI said there are also online search tools people can use to verify someone's identity and profile.
Often times victims feel embarrassed or ashamed, which can prevent them from reporting these crimes. However, the FBI urges anyone who has fallen victim to a romance scam—or even those who were unsuccessfully targeted—to come forward.
Victims can contact FBI Springfield at (217) 522-9675 and file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
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