US Prosecutors Warn of Crypto-Linked Romance Scams Ahead of Valentine’s Day
U.S. prosecutors are warning that romance scams, especially around Valentine’s Day, are increasingly linked to crypto fraud and organized crime. Scammers use online relationships to build trust over weeks or months, then steer victims toward fake crypto investment schemes, often using “pig butchering” tactics that combine emotional manipulation with fraudulent platforms. Red flags include moving conversations to encrypted apps, early declarations of love, reluctance to meet in person, and requests for payment via crypto, gift cards, or wire transfers. Scammers may allow small withdrawals to gain confidence, but block access when larger amounts are invested. Organized crime networks, especially in Southeast Asia, run large-scale operations using trafficked labor to target victims globally; laundered funds are hard to trace. Authorities have seized large sums and taken down scam domains, but caution that individuals must thoroughly research investment platforms and be wary of unsolicited offers promising easy profits.
