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Don’t Fall for

Romance

Scams

Your new love interest asked for money urgently or to “invest” it.
Say no. It’s a romance scam. Never send money or gifts to a sweetheart you
haven’t met in person. If you suspect a romance scam, stop communicating
with the person immediately.

alentine's Day comes once a year, but romance Victims are often reluctant to report these scams because
scammers work their schemes every day. The Collier they are embarrassed that they were duped and have become
V County Sheriff’s Office wants to help keep you and the emotionally and financially invested in the relationship.
people you care about safe from them. Here’s how to protect yourself and your loved ones:
“Romance scammers don’t just go after your wallet; they go • Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person.
after your heart,” Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said. “These scams • Never share your personal and financial information.
are among the most emotionally devastating and financially • Research the person’s photo and profile using online searches
damaging that we see.” to see if they appear elsewhere.
In 2024, nearly 18,000 romance scam complaints from across • Be mindful of what you share publicly on social media.
the U.S. were reported to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint • Be cautious of someone who seems too perfect, or who
Center (IC3), with losses topping $670 million, according to the quickly pushes you to move the conversation off a dating or social
FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report. People over the age of 60 platform.
were hit hardest, reporting nearly $390 million in losses and the • Understand that video calls and messaging applications are
highest number of complaints. not enough proof of their real identity.
Romance scammers prey on vulnerability. They create fake • Be suspicious of repeated excuses for why they can’t meet in
profiles, often on social media or dating sites, and build what feels person, especially after several months.
like a real emotional connection. Once trust is established, the • If you suspect a romance scam, stop communicating with the
requests for money begin. person immediately and file a complaint with the IC3 at
They adjust their stories to fit the situation. They may say they www.ic3.gov.
can’t meet in person because they are living or traveling outside • If you’ve already sent money with a gift card, wire transfer,
the country, or working on an oil rig, or in the military. Eventually, credit or debit card, or cryptocurrency, contact your bank or the
they’ll ask for help paying for a medical emergency, travel company involved right away and report it to law enforcement.
expenses or another urgent need, promising to pay you back. But For assistance with any suspicious encounter involving a request
they never do. for money or personal information, you can contact the Collier County
They’ll also tell you how to pay, usually in ways that are Sheriff ’s Office’s Fraud Hotline 239.252.2255. The hotline is staffed by
difficult or impossible to reverse. That might include wiring a CCSO deputy in the Financial Crimes Bureau between 8 a.m. and 4
money, buying gift cards and sharing the PINs, sending money p.m. Monday through Friday.
through a money transfer app, or transferring cryptocurrency. The
goal is to pressure you to act quickly.

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Life in Naples | February 2026 37