In February , the FBI ' s New York Field Office is warning the public about romance scams , which are becoming more common . These scams have been on the rise in recent years , and they can affect anyone , but seniors are especially vulnerable . In 2022 alone , the FBI received over 19 , 000 complaints about romance scams , resulting in losses of nearly $740 million . However , these numbers likely underestimate the true extent of the problem . The scammers who carry out these scams are skilled at manipulating and exploiting their victims , often targeting people on social media sites . They pretend to be someone they ' re not , taking advantage of emotional vulnerability . According to ADIC Smith , the anonymity of the internet makes it easy for these criminals to operate . Unlike traditional crimes , romance scams are harder to trace and bring to justice . To protect yourself online , be cautious about what you share and be aware that scammers can use your information against you . Stick to reputable dating sites , but keep in mind that even well - known platforms can be targeted by con artists . If you develop a romantic relationship with someone online , be cautious and consider the warning signs outlined above . If you haven ' t met someone for a while , for any reason , it ' s totally fine to be suspicious . Don ' t ever send money to someone you don ' t personally know . Just don ' t do it . And never get involved in moving money through your account or someone else ' s . If you think an online relationship might be a scam , cut off contact right away . If you ' ve already sent money , report the transfer to your bank and file a complaint with the FBI ' s IC3 . Sometimes , people become attached to the person they think they ' re in a relationship with or feel embarrassed about falling for a romance scam . But the FBI encourages victims to reach out to law enforcement so they can gather more information and protect others in the future . If you ' ve been scammed , file a complaint with the FBI ' s Internet Crime Complaint Center , call 1 - 800 - CALL - FBI ( 1 - 800 - 225 - 5324 ) , or contact FBI New York at 212 - 384 - 1000 . Check out these resources for more information on romance scams and how to protect yourself .

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