February 13, 2025 – As Valentine’s Day approaches, Meta Platforms has issued a warning to users about “romance scams” that are often perpetuated through its apps and other social media channels, as well as regular text messages.
According to the Associated Press, Meta cautions that if an individual appears too perfect on social media, it could be a sign of a potential scam. Scammers typically pose as attractive, single, and successful individuals, often claiming to have military, medical, or business backgrounds. The photos they use are either stolen from other genuine accounts or created using AI technology.
These scammers initially send out mass messages to gain attention and gradually build trust over time. They eventually ask victims for money under various pretexts, such as investment opportunities involving cryptocurrency.
Meta, in collaboration with research company Graphika, has recently dismantled three typical romance scam operations: those impersonating military officers, celebrities, and fake matchmaking agencies targeting African communities with promises of connecting them to wealthy Western men or establishing relationships with “African women.”
To combat these scams, Meta is testing various tools, including facial recognition technology, to compare suspicious user profile pictures with those of celebrities. However, this technology is currently limited to detecting scams involving celebrity impersonation.
To stay vigilant, Meta advises users to be skeptical of messages from strangers. If one decides to engage with such individuals, they should verify their identity by checking account creation dates and performing reverse image searches. Users should also exercise caution when asked for money, whether through gift cards or payment apps.
