Beware of online ‘love scams’ ahead of Valentine’s Day – Gatchalian
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday warned the public of the rising cases of online “love scams”, some of which use artificial intelligence (AI) to lure victims.
Gatchalian issued the warning in the wake of a recent report of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center which said it received 123 formal complaints related to love scams in 2025, with cases peaking from January to February, June, and October.
READ: PNP boosts campaign vs AI-enabled online love scams
“Despite the national ban on POGOs, criminal syndicates continue to exploit loopholes through various schemes, including love scams,” Gatchalian said in a statement.
“It is unfortunate that our countrymen lose not only their hard-earned money, some even fall prey to prostituion,” Gatchalian added in Filipino.
Ahead of the Valentine’s Day, civil society group ScamWatch and the CICC warned the public to beware of the following love scammers:
“Sad Boi, Sad Gurl” – those who share dramatic personal stories to gain sympathy before asking for money
“The Seducer” – those who build an intimate relationship online to get compromising photos or videos that can later be used for blackmail.
“The Investor” – those who entice victims into joint cryptocurrency ventures’
“The Serviceman” – those who pretend to be a military personnel stationed overseas to lure money
“The Escort” – those who send explicit photos to lure their victims into sending money ahead of an in-person meeting
“The Slow Burn” – those who manipulate their victim over a long period of time and avoid meeting in person
READ: Looking for love this Valentine’s Day? Watch out for scammers – ACG
ScamWatch Philippines and the CICC also recently launched “Unmatch PH 2026: ‘Umiwas sa AI, AI-AI Feb-Ibig” as a national campaign against love scams.
The public may report suspicious activities or cybercrime-related incidents through the National Anti-Scam Hotline 1326. (Joanna Martinez, INQUIRER.net trainee.)
