They won't ask for money immediately. Scammers usually practice at least one virtue: patience. "They don't typically come right out and ask for your money," says Simerly. "Instead, they will spend weeks – or even months – in the pursuit of getting to know their targets while they build trust."

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - Two days until celebrating the day of love with a significant other, or if you are searching for that person, there are a few things to keep in mind before Valentine’s Day. Romance scams are common around this time of year. Scammers use a fake online identity to gain the affection and trust of the victim.

This problem has worsened over the years. More than $1 billion was lost to romance scammers in 2023, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and 2024 figures are expected to be comparable once finalized.