PNP Warns Public VS Love Scams Ahead of V Day

With hearts set on love and romance this Valentine’s season, the Philippine National Police (PNP) 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.

Just four days before February 14, the PNP raised the alarm after recording 54 cases of love scams in 2025, 75 cases in 2024, and six cases from January 1 to February 5 this year, underscoring that while cases have declined, the threat remains real and persistent.

“Hindi masama ang magmahal, pero mas mahalaga ang mag-ingat,” said PNP Chief, Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. “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.”

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

“Mabilis ma-in love, laging may emergency sa pera, at maraming dahilan kung bakit hindi makaharap—iyan ang mga red flag,” PGEN 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, those who are single, widowed, or emotionally vulnerable. Authorities are reminding 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,” the Chief PNP, PGEN Nartatez added.

This public advisory is 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 encourages everyone to celebrate love responsibly—online and offline—while remaining vigilant against scams that exploit trust and affection.

In keeping with its commitment to public safety and community trust, the PNP reaffirms its dedication to a Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat at Nararamdaman, ensuring that protection, prevention, and timely action remain at the heart of police service nationwide.

(PNP-PIO)