Pixabay
TRENTON Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin today, the day before Valentine's Day, warned New Jerseyans to beware of internet scams using the promise of love and romance to financially victimize individuals from young teens to senior citizens.
Citing a nationwide uptick in financially motivated sextortion schemes targeting minors and billions of dollars in losses to victims of romance scams across the country, Platkin urged young and old to beware of malicious cupids lurking online.
The internet is full of predators trolling online sites in search of victims and, unfortunately, people seeking companionship or a romantic connection are among the most vulnerable, Platkin said in a release Valentine's Day provides an excellent opportunity to remind the public to exercise extreme caution when interacting with individuals they meet online. Not everyone is who they seem and the potential risks are great.
For many people, social media and internet dating sites provide an opportunity to meet potential partners they might not otherwise cross paths with, but it is important to remain vigilant, said Cari Fais, acting director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. Getting lured in by an internet scammer posing as an online suitor can result in devastating losses that go far beyond a broken heart.
Last month, the FBI warned about the growing threat of financially motivated sextortion, a crime whereby internet predators trick minors into sending sexually explicit photos and videos, and then blackmail them for payment. Nationwide reports of these crimes increased by at least 20% from October 2022 to March 2023 compared to the same six-month period the previous year. Victims are typically males between the ages of 14 to 17 and offenders are usually located outside the United States, according to the report. These crimes can lead victims to self-harm and suicide, the FBI reported.
Seniors, too, are falling victim to internet scam artists using the promise of love to lure them in, gain their trust, and financially exploit them. According to the Federal Trade Commission, in 2022, romance scams affected nearly 70,000 consumers nationwide and cost them approximately $1.3 billion. And while dating scams can happen to people of all ages, it's especially risky for older adults, particularly those in the 55 to 64 age group.
Reports show romance scammers often use dating apps to target people looking for love, but even more common are reports of romance scams that start with unexpected private messages on social media platforms. According to the FTC, in the first six months of 2023, half of people who reported losing money to an online romance scam said it began on Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat.
These scams often start with a seemingly innocent friend request from a stranger followed by love bombing and the inevitable request for money.
For more information on sextortion and financial sextortion, visit the FBI's resources on the threats at fbi.gov/sextortion and fbi.gov/financialsextortion.
For more information on how to spot and avoid romance scams, visit the FTC's Consumer Advice page at https://consumer.ftc.gov/romance-scams.
