DOJ Warns of Valentine’s Day Crypto Romance Scams Targeting Vulnerable Investors
The U.S. Department of Justice has issued a stark warning ahead of Valentine's Day, highlighting a surge in cryptocurrency romance scams. Fraudsters are exploiting emotional vulnerability during the holiday season, particularly targeting elderly Americans through fake online relationships that culminate in requests for crypto payments.
U.S. Attorney David Toepfer emphasized the need for vigilance: 'These criminals want your savings, not your affection. We're seeing sophisticated operations using stolen photos and fabricated identities to build trust before requesting funds in BTC, ETH, or other digital assets.'
The alert comes as regulators maintain pressure on exchanges like Coinbase and Binance to combat fraudulent activity, though enforcement actions have decreased since their 2021 peak. Romance scams often involve victims sending funds to seemingly legitimate wallets that are actually controlled by overseas criminal networks.