As Valentine's Day approaches, FBI Houston warns of online romance scams, where scammers often claim to work abroad and ask for money due to emergencies. An 82-year-old man, David Lane, lost over $100,000 to a woman named Susan Rogers, whom he met on a dating site. Despite frequent "I love you's," she convinced him to invest in oil interests. An iPad Lane sent her later turned up with another scam victim, connecting two people targeted by similar schemes, according to both Click2Houston and FOX 26 Houston.

FBI Houston warns against online scams, urging people to research connections, avoid sharing personal or financial details, and be cautious if someone refuses to meet or asks for money, as mentioned by Click2Houston. The Lane family experienced this firsthand when their late father was deceived by a scammer using stolen images. Social Catfish confirmed the photos were linked to other scams. Craig Lane shared the pain of the betrayal, saying, "Her taking advantage of his big heart, more than anything else, is what hurts me," as reported by FOX 26 Houston.

Social Catfish reported that scammers stole $547 million last year, with Texas among the states with the most victims. A former scammer, “Chris,” told FOX 26 Houston that these groups work together and adapt to target individuals seeking relationships. The Federal Trade Commission released a list of common scam tactics to help consumers recognize fraud. Authorities advise reporting suspected scams and cutting off contact if targeted. Cases such as David Lane and Susan Rogers illustrate the risks of online scams.