With Valentine’s Day approaching, romance is in the air – but the FBI is warning that some online romances may actually be a scam.
Romance scams remain a big and costly problem around the country, with nearly 20,000 such cases reported last year.
In Illinois in 2021, there were nearly 600 such cases, with a record estimated loss of almost $20 million.
The FBI says there are certain red flags, including someone who professes love quickly, regularly cancels plans to meet face to face, and asks for money or personal financial information.
If you get swept up in such a scam, you’re urged to report it to the FBI.
