Lonely on Valentine’s Day? Watch out for scammers, says PNP
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Wednesday warned the public against love scams ahead of Valentine’s Day this Saturday.
“It’s not wrong to love, but it’s more important to be careful. 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,” Nartatez said in a statement.
READ: PNP boosts campaign vs AI-enabled online love scams
“Quick to fall in love, constant financial emergencies, and excuses not to meet in person, those are the red flags. Once they ask for money or personal information, that’s your signal to stop and walk away,” he added.
The top cop particularly warned that scammers commonly target older individuals who are single, widowed or “emotionally vulnerable.”
The PNP recorded 75 cases of love scams in 2024; and 54 cases in 2025.
Further, it noted that the police recorded six cases of love scams from Jan. 1 to Feb. 5, 2026. /das
