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Don’t Fall Prey to Romantic Scams!

The love month is here, painting the sky pink for lovers. But have you ever considered that your love could be a scam? Or that the website you’re browsing to buy sweet little gifts for your special one might be a trap? Worse still, a third party could be watching your purchase, ready to exploit your financial details. Approximately 83% of those targeted suffered financial losses. (Source: Tenable Report, 2023).

Yes, this is the new trend among scammers during this lovey-dovey season. While you’re engrossed in finding the perfect gift or deal online, you might unknowingly land on fraudulent websites. Endless emails flood your inbox, tempting you with discounts on soft toys, jewellery, perfumes, dresses, and shoes. But have you ever paused to question whether these emails are from legitimate businesses or a ploy to access your bank account?

This is why I always say, ‘Think before you click!’

February is all about love, wrapped in gifts to express heartfelt emotions. But this emotional high also makes it the prime hunting ground for scammers who wait for you to fall for their well-crafted phishing emails.

Cybercriminals take advantage of the Valentine’s season, tricking users into revealing personal details or making fraudulent transactions. A surge in email scams, fake websites, and phishing attacks is common during this time.

A Look at the Numbers:

• In 2021, Check Point Research observed over 400 malicious Valentine’s Day-themed phishing emails weekly in the latter half of January. These scams included counterfeit jewellery deals and fraudulent promotions designed to steal personal information. (Source: ETCISO.IN)
• Spam emails related to Valentine’s Day have surged since mid-January, peaking at 7% of global Valentine’s-themed spam traffic on January 21 and February 2. The trend highlights how scammers exploit heightened emotional engagement and increased consumer spending.
• The United States receives the highest number of Valentine’s spam emails (49%), followed by Germany (14%), Ireland (11%), and India (5%).

 

Valentine’s Day: A Hotspot for Scammers

According to Tenable, a leading exposure management company, “43% of Indians fell victim to AI-generated voice scams while searching for love online in 2023.” And 69% of Indians struggle to distinguish between AI-generated voices and real human voices, making them vulnerable to fraud.

I hope these spam emails don’t flood your mailbox, and if so, beware!

• Fake “Valentine’s Basket” Giveaways: Victims are tricked into answering questions to claim a prize. (Check Point Research, Jan 2024)
• Cadbury Chocolate Scams: Emails promising free chocolates lead to phishing attempts.
• Costco Valentine’s Day Basket Scam: Users were lured into fake giveaways with misleading offers.
• Rituals Valentine’s Package Scam: Victims were asked to enter personal details for a “free” package.
• Fake Dating Websites: Some scam campaigns promote fraudulent dating platforms to steal personal information.

A study by The Hindu revealed that ‘77% of Indian users encountered fake profiles or AI-generated images on dating apps and social media.’

This problem isn’t limited to India. In October 2024, the South China Morning Post reported that Hong Kong police dismantled a 27-member gang that used deepfake technology to scam victims of $46 million. Scammers impersonated women on video calls, deceiving men from India, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Singapore, and other countries.

If you have lost money to a scam, report it immediately on the national cybercrime helpline at 1930. Acting within an hour significantly increases your chances of recovering lost funds.

Key Red Flags to Watch Out For

• Urgency Tactics: Scammers create a sense of urgency to pressure you into making quick decisions. According to the study by The Hindu, “39% had conversations with an online love interest who turned out to be a scammer.”
• Poor Grammar & Spelling Errors: Many phishing emails contain obvious grammatical mistakes.
• Unbelievable Offers: If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Suspicious Links: Hover over links before clicking; scammers often use lookalike URLs.
• Pressure to Provide Payment Details: Be cautious if asked to pay via gift cards or wire transfers.
• “Too Good to Be True” Profiles: Scammers use fake dating profiles with perfect photos and overly romantic messages.
• Requests for Personal Information Too Soon: Never share sensitive data with someone you just met online.

 

How to Stay Safe This Valentine’s Season

• Be Skeptical of Giveaways: If you didn’t enter a contest, you didn’t win.
• Verify the Sender: Legitimate companies don’t use @gmail.com, @yahoo.com, or @hotmail.com for official emails.
• Stick to Trusted Dating Platforms: Avoid unknown dating sites that demand financial details.
• Double-Check Travel Bookings: Visit official travel sites instead of clicking links in emails.
• Ignore Unsolicited Surveys: Scammers use fake surveys to steal personal data.
• Research before Engaging: Verify companies, websites, and individuals before sharing personal details.
• Use Strong Passwords & Privacy Settings: Secure your online accounts with unique passwords and strict privacy settings.

 

How Protegent Protects You?

To combat these rising threats, Protegent Antivirus offers a robust cybersecurity solution that ensures your online safety:

Advanced Email & Malware Protection

• Filters out phishing emails before they reach your inbox.
• Detects and blocks fraudulent links, fake promotional offers, and malicious messages.

Real-Time Antivirus & Anti-Spyware Protection

• Shields your system from viruses, spyware, and ransomware.
• Prevents malware from stealing personal and financial information.

Anti-Malware & Anti-Phishing Security

• Detects and prevents phishing attempts.
• Blocks malicious websites posing as legitimate platforms.

Adware Protection for a Safer Browsing Experience

• Eliminates pop-ups, hidden malware, and deceptive links.
• Ensures an uninterrupted, secure online experience.

Firewall & Website Blocking

• Blocks unauthorized access to your device.
• Restricts access to untrustworthy websites, reducing the risk of malware infections.

 

Stay Secure This Valentine’s Day with Protegent

With phishing attacks, online scams, and cyber threats at an all-time high during this season, protect yourself and your loved ones. Protegent offers comprehensive security solutions to keep you safe from fraud, ensuring a worry-free digital experience.

Stay vigilant. Stay secure. Choose Protegent.