Planning Valentine’s? PNP warns vs love scams as ‘lolos’ among top victims

With hearts set on love and romance this Valentine’s season, the Philippine National Police is urging the public to stay alert as online love or romance scams continue to prey on emotions, often leaving victims heartbroken and financially drained.

Four days before 14 February, the PNP raised the alarm after recording 54 love scam cases in 2025, 75 cases in 2024, and six cases from 1 January to 5 February 2026, underscoring that while cases have declined, the threat remains persistent.

“Hindi masama ang magmahal, pero mas mahalaga ang mag-ingat,” PNP chief P/Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said. “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.”

Meanwhile, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Council Executive Director Undersecretary Renato “Aboy” Paraiso said their office recorded 18,000 love scam incidents in 2025 and 18 incidents this year from 9 January to 6 February 2026.

Of the 18 cases recorded this year, eight victims were female while the rest were male.

"Lolos, (ederly retired) were mostly targeted. Maybe they're not tech savvy and may mga pamilya sila, kaya di makapagsumbong," Paraiso explained.

He said two types of online schemes are commonly used.

"Yun seductress scam(app), yun nagpapanggap na batang babae, nagpapasend ng compromising photos tapos ibablackmail ka. Eto nadodocument natin ito, pero bihira ang nagcocomplain. Yun escort scam yun talagang alam ng kalalakihan na naghahanap lang sila (companion)," Paraiso said.

Love or romance scams typically begin with online connections in which scammers pretend to be foreigners or overseas Filipino workers. They invest time building emotional attachment, often avoiding video calls, professing love too quickly, and eventually asking for money, supposed travel funds for a meet-up, or sensitive personal details such as bank information, one-time passwords or identification cards.

“Mabilis ma-in love, laging may emergency sa pera, at maraming dahilan kung bakit hindi makaharap—iyan ang mga red flag,” Nartatez stressed. “Once they ask for money or personal information, that’s your signal to stop and walk away.”

The PNP noted that common targets include older individuals, as well as those who are single, widowed or emotionally vulnerable. Authorities reminded the public never to send money, intimate photos or videos, or personal information to people they have not personally met and fully verified.

“Kung may duda, makinig sa kutob. Kapag may humihingi ng pera o sensitibong impormasyon online, mag-isip muna. Mas mabuting magtanong at mag-report kaysa magsisi sa huli,” Nartatez added.

He said the advisory forms part of the PNP’s continuing efforts under its Focused Agenda, particularly through enhanced managing police operations, aimed at strengthening crime prevention, public awareness and protection against cyber-enabled fraud.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, the PNP encouraged the public to celebrate love responsibly, both online and offline, while remaining vigilant against scams that exploit trust and affection.