Crime & Safety
Beware Of Romance Scams, FBI Warns
One victim, a Cranston woman lost approximately $15,000 to a man she fell in love with on Facebook, the FBI said.
As Valentine's Day approaches, the FBI warns the lovelorn to beware of romance scams.
"In 2025, more than 700 victims from Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island reported losing approximately $20 million in romance scams," according to a media release from the FBI's Boston Field Office, which said one of the duped New Englanders was a Cranston woman who lost $15,000 in savings and gift cards to a man she fell in love with on Facebook who claimed to be living in the Dominican Republic.
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"It’s likely that many more losses went unreported because many victims suffer in silence due to embarrassment, shame, or humiliation," the release said.
“Fraudsters are lurking online claiming to be looking for love when they’re really just looking to loot your bank account,” Ted E. Docks, special agent in charge of the Boston division, said in the release.
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“We’re urging everyone to take a beat," Docks said. "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.”
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Romance scammers often create fake profiles on dating sites or contact targets through social media , according to the FBI.
"These fraudsters spend hours honing their skills, relying on well-rehearsed scripts that have been used repeatedly and successfully," the release said. "In some cases, victims may be unknowingly recruited to transfer money illegally on behalf of others."
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The scammers also use generative artificial intelligence tools to fool their victims, according to the release.
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