THE Philippine National Police yesterday called on the public to stay alert and watchful for online love or romance scams ahead of Valentine’s Day.
PNP chief, General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said that with hearts set on love and romance this Valentine’s season, online love or romance scams continue to prey on emotions—often leaving victims heartbroken and financially drained.
The top cop raised the alarm after the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group recorded 75 cases of love scams in 2024, 54 cases in 2025, and six cases from January 1 to date. He underscored the fact that while cases have declined, the threat remains real and persistent.
“Hindi masama ang magmahal, pero mas mahalaga ang mag-ingat. Scammers take advantage of loneliness, trust, and hope—especially online. We want the public to enjoy Valentine’s Day safely, without becoming victims of deception,” Gen. Nartatez said.
Love or romance scams typically begin with online connections where scammers pretend to be foreigners or overseas Filipino workers. They invest time in building emotional attachment, often avoiding video calls, professing love too quickly, and eventually asking for money, travel funds for a supposed meet-up, or sensitive personal details such as bank information, one-time passwords (OTP), or identification cards.
The PNP-ACG headed by Brigadier Gen. Wilson P. Asueta, noted that common targets include older individuals, those who are single, widowed, or emotionally vulnerable.
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