Jeff Jackson warns North Carolinians of Valentine’s Day Sweetheart scams

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — Attorney General Jeff Jackson is urging people to use caution this Valentine’s Day to prevent falling victim to a sweetheart scam.

“Always be careful about who you’re talking to online and on social media,” said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “Sweetheart scammers will sweet talk you, but they really just want your money. Verify the identities of people you’re talking to online, never share personal data with people you don’t know, and be suspicious if someone you’re talking to needs money to deal with a personal emergency. If you think you may have fallen victim to a scam, please contact my office.”

Sweetheart scammers often try to flatter people with false feelings of affection or love. They try to gain trust or establish a connection only to get money or personal information.

Sometimes, scammers will prey on people only looking to make a friend.

People who have recently lost loved ones may be targeted. Scammers often say they’re U.S. citizen working in another country, a nurse, teacher, or member of the military.

The scammer will also try to shift the conversation from the dating app to a text or messaging app.

Sweetheart scammers usually give one of the following reasons for needing money:

• Airline tickets to come to the United States
• Bribes that must be paid before they can leave the country
• Communications costs like a phone bill or internet access
• School tuition
• A temporary financial setback
• Professional crisis that results in personal losses
• Urgent medical expensese
• To help them recover from a robbery or a mugging

These romance scams frequently evolve into cryptocurrency fraud. A single victim can lose more than $100,000 to these scams, and it’s almost impossible to get it back once sent.

Many people after they have been scammed feel overwhelming emotions. It is important to remember that the sooner you report the scam to Jackson’s office and to law enforcement, the more than can be done to try and get your money back.

If you’re concerned you or someone you love might have fallen victim to a scam, contact Jackon’s office at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM