It feels good to be in love but the experience can turn profoundly bitter once duped by fake love, or the illusion of affection.

Authorities have reminded the public to be alert for scammers during the Love Month, as these culprits take advantage of the emotional vulnerability of certain individuals. 

The Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (RACU) said that they have information on victims of love scam, or the relationship that develops online, mostly between a Filipino/Filipino and a foreigner.

In 2025, they received one complaint from a senior citizen in the Province of Antique who fell victim to the love scam.

“Usually targeting ito yung mga kwan, medyo nasa may edad na. So they are vulnerable silang maniwala sa mga social engineering techniques ng mga scammers,” RACU 6 Director, Lt. Col. Richard Habawel, said.

Based on data from the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, at least 15 victims to love scams in the entire country in January 2026 were recorded.

From 2023 to 2024, Habawel said, similar complaints were raised to their attention on the said modus operandi.

In duping victims, scammers promise to send either parcel or money through financial institutions.

“Then ina-advice [advise] sila na may pumasok na pera and that they have to pay some taxes,” Habawel added.

However, Habawel said that dealing with love scams is an insurmountable challenge.

Thus, he engages the public to be more circumspect when striking romantic conversations and affairs online.

Habawel advised the public, especially those yearning to have a romantic partner, to scrutinize persons they meet online, be vigilant about red flags, and detect fraud immediately by the way they weave stories.

“If it’s too good to be true, it’s a scam," he underscored.