Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is warning Alabamians about the potential for online fraud through dating platforms.

“Romance scams prey on the most vulnerable aspects of human nature: trust, hope, and love. Predators are known to empty bank accounts with manipulation and lies,” said Attorney General Marshall. Ta.

“My office regularly receives reports of individuals who have fallen victim to these ruthless schemes. It is nearly impossible to recover lost money, so anyone who suspects they have been defrauded should immediately notify I strongly encourage you to contact my office. Our Consumer Protection Department can provide advice before large sums of money are lost forever. Our community online We hope to educate and empower them to recognize the signs of a criminal.”

According to the Federal Trade Commission, approximately 70,000 people have fallen victim to romance scams, with losses totaling $1.3 billion.

While this number is high, the release states that the actual number is likely even higher due to the fact that many victims of these scams are embarrassed and do not report the scams to the proper authorities. states.

Marshall gave the following guidelines to avoid this type of scam.

• Don't send money to anyone you have contact with online or by phone.
• No matter how much you trust this person, don't give them your passwords or bank account information.
• Celebrities don't ask for money for your relationship.
• Perform a reverse image search for your profile photo using a search engine

If you see suspected fraud online, we encourage you to contact the Attorney General's Office at 1-800-392-5658 or visit: alabamaag.gov.