Those who may be looking for love this Valentine’s Day will also need to be on the lookout for something else, scammers.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is working to inform the general public of the dangers of romance scams, a prolific issue that costs American consumers $750 million annually. That’s according to HSI Kansas City Acting Special Agent in Charge Taekuk (TAY-Cook) Cho who recently spoke with KVOE News about the matter.
Cho says romance scams “run the full gambit” ranging from financial fraud to potential identity theft and even “sextortion.” Cho says sextortion cases traditionally involve teenagers while financial scams are often targeted at older demographics.
Cho says this is because teenagers, traditionally, do not have the same financial means as older individuals.
Cho says scammers are very clever in the stories and profiles they develop in order to exploit their victims. Thankfully he says there are several steps individuals can take to keep their hearts and finances secure.
Cho also encourages individuals to speak with their older friends and relatives to make sure they are aware of the potential for scams and that they are being safe with their online presence.
If you believe you have been the victim of a romance scam you should discontinue all communication with the individual and contact local law enforcement immediately. Cho also encourages residents to reach out to the HSI tipline by calling 1-866-347-2423.
