By Tiffany Williams –
BOSTON — Love shouldn’t cost you your life savings, but that’s exactly what online romance scammers are counting on this Valentine’s Day. The FBI’s Boston Division is sounding the alarm as criminals exploit hearts and bank accounts alike. In 2025, more than 700 victims across Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island lost roughly $20 million to these ruthless schemes. Officials warn the real number is likely far higher because shame keeps victims silent.
“Fraudsters are lurking online claiming to be looking for love when they’re really just looking to loot your bank account,” said Ted E. Docks, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “We’re urging everyone to take a beat. The best weapon against these scammers is a healthy dose of skepticism. But if you do fall victim, report it to us immediately so the FBI and our law enforcement partners can do everything in our power to bring these criminals to justice.”
Scammers build fake profiles on dating apps and social media, spending hours crafting stories designed to extract money or personal information. Some victims are even recruited to launder funds unknowingly. Generative AI has only made these scams more convincing, producing flawless translations and realistic photos that make the fraud nearly indistinguishable from reality.
Cases last year reveal the brutal efficiency of these fraudsters: a woman in Casco, Maine lost $20,000 to a man claiming he needed money to return from Cuba; a South Hamilton, Massachusetts man was scammed out of $1 million after being lured onto an encrypted app for “investments”; a Derry, New Hampshire man lost $1.5 million to a fake cryptocurrency website; and a Cranston, Rhode Island woman sent $15,000 in cash and gift cards to a man she met on Facebook living in the Dominican Republic.
The FBI urges anyone entering an online romance to stay vigilant. Research profiles, question motives, avoid sending money or sharing financial information, and never isolate yourself from friends and family. If someone promises a meeting but keeps canceling with excuses, that’s a red flag. Always meet in public, let someone know your plans, and check travel advisories if going abroad.
Anyone who suspects a scam should stop all contact and report the fraud immediately to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. Victims who have already sent money should contact their financial institutions without delay. In the digital age, love can be a battlefield — and the FBI is warning you not to be an easy target.