CLEVELAND — As Valentine's Day draws near, FBI Cleveland is warning the public about the dangers of romance scams and confidence fraud, which continues to rise, particularly in online relationships. The FBI advises individuals to exercise caution when engaging with people they have not met in real life.

The FBI warns about romance scammers as Valentine’s Day nears, offering tips to protect both your heart and your finances. According to the FBI, in romance scams criminals use fake online identities to gain affection and trust.

They won't ask for money immediately. Scammers usually practice at least one virtue: patience. "They don't typically come right out and ask for your money," says Simerly. "Instead, they will spend weeks – or even months – in the pursuit of getting to know their targets while they build trust."

USPS and USPIS are warning consumers about being targeted for romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day. The scams often start online, but can escalate to requests for money or valuables through the mail. If you are someone you know has been targeted by a romance scam involving the mail, report it to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

With Valentine's Day approaching, the FBI Cleveland Field Office is warning the public about the increasing prevalence of online romance and confidence scams.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) issue warnings about the risk of romance scams as Valentine’s Day approaches.