Red Flags To Watch For In Online Dating Scams

Online relationships are becoming more common in the digital age, but while you may think you found the one, it may just be someone wanting money.

To safeguard your heart and your finances, Jeff Miller with AARP Oklahoma and the Fraud Watch Network joined News On 6 at 4 p.m. to share some red flags on this Valentine's Day. According to the FTC, the lies that romance scammers use to take advantage of people cost consumers $1.3 billion in 2022.

Here are the top red flags to watch for:

1. be wary or a new relationship with someone who suddenly bestows non-stop affection, compliments and attention. The love-bombing is a tactic to overwhelm the recipient.
2. Check their photos using your web browser, both Google and Bing offer image search. You may discover your Romeo's picture is actually from a magazine ad.
3. The FTC says scammers use these three top lines:
4. "I or someone close to me is sick, hurt or in jail"
5. "I can teach you how to invest"
6. "I'm in the military and far away"

The criminals work relentlessly to gain your trust, and then they make a move to get your money. A good takeaway is anytime a love interest or new friend whom you've never seen in person asks for money, it's most likely a scam.

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