Press Release
☷FBI El Paso Office Warns of Romance Scams Ahead of Valentine s Day
Federal Bureau of Investigation ( By Press Release office)
Feb 15,2024
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Hey , just a heads up! The FBI in El Paso is warning residents about an expected surge of Romance/Confidence scams leading up to Valentine’s Day . In 2023 , around 50 people in West Texas reported falling victim to a romance scam , losing over $903 , 000 . But here ' s the thing , the FBI estimates that there are probably 2 - 3 times more victims who never report the crime . In these scams , people are tricked into thinking they ' re in a relationship and then bamboozled into sending money or personal info to the scammer . It ' s a real bummer , but these scammers have got their act down pat and might even wait months before asking for anything valuable . John Morales , a Special Agent from the FBI El Paso Field Office , said , "Scammers will use your interests to become the perfect partner and catch you off guard . " So , if you suspect someone you met online is a scammer , don ' t be embarrassed! Reach out to the FBI so we can help bring these scammers to justice . Here are a few signs to watch out for and some tips to protect yourself . If the person keeps making excuses for not meeting in person or suddenly asks for money once they gain your trust , those are big red flags . And if they ask to communicate outside of a dating service or social media site , be cautious . To protect yourself , be mindful of what you share online , and if you suspect a scam , cut off communication immediately . Another tip is to do a reverse image search of the person ' s photo to see if it ' s associated with another name or profile . And remember , never send money to someone you ' ve only interacted with online or over the phone . If you think you ' re caught up in a romance scam or you ' ve already fallen victim , report it to the FBI ' s IC3 at www . ic3 . gov . Stay safe out there!In 2023 , reports from the Internet Crime Complaint Center ( IC3 ) showed that at least 50 residents of West Texas reported being victims of a romance scam . The victims from West Texas lost over $903 , 000 . The FBI in El Paso estimates that between 2 and 3 times that number of victims never report the crime . In a trust/romance scam , victims are lured into thinking they are in a relationship with a friend or romantic partner , and then tricked into sending money , financial information , or personal information to the criminal . They may also be deceived into money laundering . Romantic scammers follow a well - rehearsed script that has worked before , and often see this scam as a full - time job . FBI special agents have noticed that they can wait months to develop the relationship before asking for something of value . Scammers often use the victim ' s interests to become the perfect partner and make the victim lower their guard , said John Morales , Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Regional Office in El Paso . Victims may feel embarrassed , but it is important to come forward and contact the FBI if you suspect your online admirer is a scammer , so they can help bring them to justice before they break someone else ' s heart and bank account . The following are examples of common red flags for romance scams , as well as tips for better protection . Common red flags for romance scams: The scammer makes promises to meet in person but gives excuses for why they can ' t . The scammer will ask for money once they gain your trust . Usually , they explain that they have a debt , need financial assistance , or ask for funds for travel . The scammer will request money through methods that make it difficult to trace and hard to recover . The scammer may request leaving a dating service or social media site to communicate directly . How to protect yourself: Be cautious about what you post and make public online . If you suspect a scam , stop communicating with the person immediately . Perform a reverse image search of the person ' s photo ( s ) . If it is associated with another name or profile , it is likely a scam . Take things slow and ask lots of questions . Never send money to someone you have only communicated with online or over the phone . If you suspect you are involved in a romance scam or have been a victim , report the incident to the FBI ' s IC3 by visiting www . ic3 . gov .
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