Experts warn about romance scams ahead of Valentines Day
WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – As Valentines Day approaches, a warning about looking for love in all the worng places. Scammers could turn to dating websites and apps to target vulnerable individuals and steal their money.
Scammers are getting more creative in how they steal money. They are using AI chatbots to talk to more people and identify potential victims.
With just one click or swipe you could find yourself talking to someone behind a fake profile. This was true for one Sprinfield resident's friend who met somone online and began texting them come to find out they were not who they said they were.
'They were sending them models, pictures online. Never wanting to Facetime and if they did facetime all they did was show their eyes,' said Jazica Wyche of Springfield.
AI programs can simulate voices, generate images, or create fake video footage, making dating profiles seem realistic even when they aren't. Experts say these fake dating profiles are how scammers gain someone's trust.
'They will figure out exactly what makes you happy, what makes you sad, what you need. And they will use that,' said Head of Berkshire Bank's Security and Fraud Investigations Unit, Tina Martin.
Martin adds, once they've got you hooked, they'll move away from communicating on the dating site and start messaging with you elsewhere, so there's no trace of suspicious behavior. They then will start having you send money for an emergency they've had, travel expenses, or invest your money to make you more money. They may even pretend to date someone for weeks or months to pull the scam off.
'They are going to want you to either cash out them the money or Venmo them or one of the money moving platforms, or they're going to want you to wire the money or they want you to take the cash out or the money out of the bank and take it to Bitcoin cash machines, all of those,' said Martin.
This will make it difficult for banks to trace the money back. Experts say to look out for potential red flags such as not being able to meet in-person or they start to show affection or love very quickly.
If someone does start asking for money, experts say its best to immediately disconnect. And nver provide your social or confidential information.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Recent survey shows the fear Americans have over inflation decreased last month
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The fear Americans have over inflation decreased last month, according to a recent survey. This being prompted by the president's decision to back off on his tariff proposals. Mass. clean cement company hopes to win back $87M federal award With tariff threats easing and reports of trade negotiations heating up, this survey by the Fed shows people are starting to worry less about inflation. In the New York Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Expectations, inflation expectations declined in May. This comes after surging higher in March and April over concerns about tariffs. Right now, inflation stands at 2.3%. 'It's good, because the economy is struggling as it already is. So it's good for us to see those numbers dwindle,' said Angel Amaro of Springfield. The improving expectations come as the tariff policy has changed. Initial tariffs were set at 10 percent on all US imports, and dozens of nations faced reciprocal duties. President Donald Trump later backed off on the tariffs, opting for a 90-day negotiation period that ends in July. While inflation is coming down, AIC economics professor John Rogers explains it's still above the Fed's 2% annual target rate. 'It's sort of that last mile is difficult to get to, but it's it's going in the right direction,' said Rogers. The survey showed that expectations dipped across most price groups, but saw food prices rising to 5.5 percent over the next year. Rogers says the survey also showed people are optimistic about the job market. 'They feel that the number of people who feel that their jobs are at under threat or at stake is going down. So that's good news. So that gives people confidence if they're confident, they go out and spend money, it's consumer spending that keeps the economy humming along,' added Rogers. And Rogers noted that the Bond market is another area for people to question, asking themselves whether the US can service all of its debt. He says it's up to $37 trillion, and it's growing at almost $2 trillion every year. The survey also shows increased gas prices easing to just 2.7 percent. Medical care, college education, and rent increases were also lower every month. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Weymouth woman wins $1M lottery prize on ticket sold in North Weymouth
NORTH WEYMOUTH, Mass. (WWLP) – A Weymouth resident has claimed a $1 million prize from the Massachusetts State Lottery after purchasing a winning '$4,000,000 Cash King Doubler' instant ticket in North Weymouth. Plainville man wins $1M lottery prize on ticket sold in Middleborough Kathleen Benson won the game's $1 million prize and chose the cash option, receiving a one-time payment of $650,000 before taxes. She bought the lucky ticket at Metro Convenience, located at 230 Bridge St. in North Weymouth. The store will receive a $10,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Plainville man wins $1M lottery prize on ticket sold in Middleborough
MIDDLEBOROUGH, Mass. (WWLP) – A Plainville resident is $1 million richer after winning a top prize in the Massachusetts State Lottery's '$1,000,000 Monopoly Doubler' instant ticket game. Weymouth woman wins $1M lottery prize on ticket sold in North Weymouth Sean Kelly claimed the prize after purchasing the winning scratch ticket at Kurt's Corner, located at 353 Wareham Street in Middleborough. He opted for the cash payout and received a one-time payment of $650,000 before taxes. As a reward for selling the winning ticket, Kurt's Corner will receive a $10,000 bonus from the Massachusetts State Lottery. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
