Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has issued a warning to residents about the risks of romance scams during the Valentine’s Day season, especially for those using online dating platforms.
“You may be hoping to meet a special someone online or through a dating app this Valentine’s Day but be mindful of red flags that could indicate they are not who they claim to be. Romance scammers take advantage of victims’ openness and trust,” Raoul said. “If you think you may be a victim of a romance scam, do not let any embarrassment deter you from seeking help or filing a complaint with my office.”
The Attorney General outlined several precautions for people engaging in online relationships. He advised verifying profile photos through reverse image searches and being cautious if images appear under multiple names or sources. Raoul also warned that some scammers use AI-generated images, which may not show up in such searches, and recommended caution if profiles have little activity.
Other recommendations include being wary of unsolicited messages from strangers on social media, creating separate usernames and email addresses for dating sites, and communicating only within official platforms until there is confidence in the other person’s intentions. Moving conversations off-platform quickly is often an attempt by scammers to collect personal information without oversight.
Raoul encouraged individuals to inform trusted friends or family members when starting new online relationships, as outside perspectives can help spot potential problems. He also cautioned against sharing private information or photos with new contacts due to risks like identity theft or extortion.
He further advised vigilance regarding attachments and links sent by online acquaintances since these can contain malware. Video calls should be possible; reluctance may signal deception.
Requests for money—whether for travel, emergencies, business opportunities, or other urgent needs—are major warning signs. Raoul urged residents never to share bank details or send funds via wire transfers, peer-to-peer apps, money orders, gift cards or cryptocurrency.
Anyone suspecting they are a victim should save all communications with the suspected scammer and immediately cease contact. Victims should block phone numbers and messaging accounts used by the perpetrator and report incidents both to platform operators and law enforcement agencies such as local police departments, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). If cryptocurrency was involved in the scam, reporting may also be required with relevant financial regulatory bodies including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Raoul also reminded consumers that there is no shame in falling victim to such schemes: “Anyone can become a victim of a romance scam.”
Those wishing to report scams can visit the Attorney General’s website or call one of several Consumer Fraud Hotlines listed for different regions across Illinois.
The Illinois Attorney General’s office acts as the state’s chief legal authority with responsibilities including protecting consumers from fraud through services such as complaint filing according to its official website. The office works statewide promoting community safety while advocating for vulnerable groups like seniors and immigrants and provides resources on issues like internet safety. In addition to consumer protection efforts the office handles thousands of complaints annually.
