Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday cautioned single Filipinos seeking companionship this Valentine's Day to be vigilant against the rising threat of "love scams."

According to Philippines News Agency, the PNP's advisory follows the documentation of six cases of love scams from January 1 to February 5. PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. emphasized the tactics scammers employ, preying on feelings of loneliness, trust, and hope, particularly through online platforms.

"We want the public to enjoy Valentine's Day safely, without becoming victims of deception," Nartatez stated in a press briefing. The PNP has previously recorded 54 incidents of love scams in 2025 and 75 in 2024, indicating a concerning trend.

Typically, these scams are initiated through an online connection, where the fraudsters disguise themselves as foreigners or overseas Filipino workers. They rapidly form emotional connections, shun video calls, and quickly declare their love. Subsequently, they request monetary assistance, travel funds for a supposed visit, or sensitive personal information, including bank details, one-time passwords, or identification copies.

The primary targets of these scams tend to be older individuals and those who are single, widowed, or emotionally vulnerable. In light of these tactics, Nartatez urged the public to exercise caution and avoid sending money, intimate photos or videos, or personal information to individuals they have not met in person and thoroughly verified.