TL;DR: Romance scam activity climbs in the weeks before Valentine's Day, when dating app usage rises and people already in online relationships are emotionally primed for a request tied to the holiday. Never send money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to someone you haven't met in person, and treat a refusal to video chat as a serious warning sign regardless of how long you've been talking.
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Romance scam activity climbs in the weeks before Valentine's Day, when dating app usage rises and people already in online relationships are emotionally primed for a request tied to the holiday.
How the Scam Plays Out
A scammer who has spent weeks or months building a relationship online asks for money for a plane ticket, a gift, or an emergency right around the holiday, often after avoiding any video call or in-person meeting.
How to Protect Yourself
Never send money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to someone you haven't met in person, and treat a refusal to video chat as a serious warning sign regardless of how long you've been talking.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading Wedding Season Scams: Registry and Vendor Fraud.
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see Year-End Bonus and Payroll Phishing Scams.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does this typically happen?
Romance scam activity climbs in the weeks before Valentine's Day, when dating app usage rises and people already in online relationships are emotionally primed for a request tied to the holiday.
What tactics are used?
A scammer who has spent weeks or months building a relationship online asks for money for a plane ticket, a gift, or an emergency right around the holiday, often after avoiding any video call or in-person meeting.
How can I protect myself?
Never send money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to someone you haven't met in person, and treat a refusal to video chat as a serious warning sign regardless of how long you've been talking.
What should I do if I’ve already been targeted?
Stop all payments immediately, contact your bank or card issuer to see if a transaction can be reversed or flagged, and report the incident to the appropriate consumer protection body.