If you find yourself romantically involved with someone you met over the internet and have never met, it’s totally possible that they are who they say they are. But if they start begging you for money or gifts, that’s your sign to run.

Millennials who grew up being told “don’t trust anyone you meet on the internet” are increasingly finding themselves and a parent’s nest egg at a total loss after an online romance blossoms into a kind, generous soul sending a scammer thousands and thousands of dollars because they just can’t fathom why their never-met beloved would be anything other than their soulmate.

While online romance scams are more likely to affect older adults, people of any age can be susceptible if they’re lonely. There’s nothing wrong with seeking a relationship online, but there are plenty of warning signs anyone doing so should be on the lookout for, said Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall.

“Behind the screen is often not a soulmate, but a scammer,” Marshall said. “These predators play the long game, building emotional trust only to drain bank accounts and vanish without a trace. By the time victims realize the truth, the money is usually unrecoverable. If something feels wrong, trust your instincts and call our office right away. Acting quickly can make all the difference.”

These scammers built an emotional connection with their marks to gain their trust, then use that trust and a healthy dose of manipulation to take money or personal information. While some scammers pretend to be prominent actors, singers or entertainers, others use stolen images and information to make up a lovable persona.

If you’ve been talking to and developing a relationship with someone for hours and hours and hours over months and months, you might be more agreeable when told there’s an emergency that can be solved by a quick infusion of cash. Once they’ve gotten you to fork over money once, the next emergency is always around the corner — and requires more money to solve.

While it’s hard for many people to believe someone could be so gullible as to believe they’re really talking to Jennifer Anniston or Elon Musk, that a millionaire or billionaire needs financial help from someone on social security, that’s the unfortunate reality for plenty of people with loved ones who have been left destitute because of scammer sending sweet nothings over some online chatting service.

Here are some no-nonsense tips to help you or a loved one avoid getting scammed:

  • Never send money to anyone you are communicating with online or over the phone, and don’t feel pressured to make rash financial decisions
  • Do not give someone else your passwords or bank account information, regardless of how much you trust them
  • Celebrities are not wandering the internet looking for love, and they definitely don’t need your money
  • Put profiles pictures in a search engine to do a reverse image search for reused or fake pictures
  • Be careful what you post and make public online. Scammers can use details shared on social media and dating sites to better understand and target you
  • Beware if someone requests inappropriate photos or financial information that could later be used to extort you

If you’re worried that someone you know may be speaking with a scammer online, be cautious. The scammer will likely tell your loved one that you’re trying to break them up for some nefarious reason, and they’re great at driving a wedge between their marks and well-meaning people who are onto their game.

A lawyer or financial planner may be able to help prevent further financial damage, but emotional fallout is just as painful.

“A victim of a romance scam is not only harmed financially, but emotionally as well,” said Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “The feeling of embarrassment and shame usually cause victims to delay reporting the crime.”

The number of cases involving romance fraud under investigation by the IRS more than tripled over the past year. Romance fraud intersects money laundering, wire fraud, cryptocurrency misuse and transnational criminal organizations, which are all investigated by IRS-CI.

“Unfortunately, victims of romance fraud may lose their life savings or retirement funds through various scams,” Hardeman said.

Anyone 60 or older who is a victim of financial fraud or anyone who is worried that someone 60 or older is experiencing financial fraud can call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.

You can also contact the Alabama Attorney General’s Office or report fraud right here.

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