CAPIZ — As Valentine’s Day approaches, the Roxas City Police Station is warning the public against the rising threat of love scams and urging residents to remain vigilant when engaging in online relationships.
Chief Master Sgt. Ramil Arcangeles, spokesperson of the Roxas Component City Police Station, outlined common tactics used by scammers to exploit unsuspecting individuals.
Arcangeles said love scammers typically begin by using affectionate language to quickly establish emotional bonds with their targets. They often fabricate elaborate backstories, claiming to be working overseas or serving in the military, to justify their inability to meet in person.
“The distance allows them to manipulate the victim’s feelings without the constraints of physical interaction,” Arcangeles explained.
“Scammers are highly skilled at exploiting emotions and can appear genuinely caring and sincere,” he added. “They often claim to be in dire situations, which preys on the compassion of their victims.”
According to police, scammers frequently ask for money, citing emergencies such as medical expenses, travel costs, or urgent financial needs that supposedly require immediate assistance. Victims, believing they are helping a loved one in distress, may unknowingly transfer money, only to later discover they have been deceived.
Arcangeles noted that many victims are individuals seeking meaningful connections through social media platforms or dating applications. While these platforms offer opportunities for genuine relationships, they can also become hunting grounds for fraudsters targeting vulnerable individuals.
The Roxas City Police urged the community to exercise caution when interacting with people online.
“It’s crucial to be skeptical of anyone who professes love too quickly or pressures you for personal information and financial support,” Arcangeles said. “Always verify their stories and never hesitate to question their motives.”
Key signs of a love scam include expressing deep feelings or professing love within just days or weeks of first connecting, often creating an intense emotional attachment early on. Scammers commonly claim to be based abroad and say they are unable to visit because of business obligations or military service. They also tend to persuade victims to move conversations away from established dating platforms to more private messaging channels. In many cases, they spin elaborate stories of financial hardship, promise future plans together, and repeatedly ask for money under various pretexts.
With Valentine’s Day approaching, the police have intensified efforts to educate the public about these fraudulent schemes.
Authorities encourage anyone who suspects they may be a victim of a love scam to immediately report the incident to the Roxas Component City Police Station. Prompt reporting can help prevent others from falling victim and contribute to a safer online environment./PN
