As Valentine’s Day draws near, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged the public to stay alert against sophisticated “love scams” that use artificial intelligence (AI) to deceive and even sexually exploit victims.

Gatchalian issued the advisory after the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) reported a growing number of romance-related fraud cases targeting people seeking relationships online.

CICC data showed that the agency recorded 123 formal complaints in 2025, with authorities observing recurring spikes during peak romantic periods, particularly from January to February, as well as in June and October.

The senator attributed the continued prevalence of these scams to criminal syndicates adjusting to the government’s intensified crackdown on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

“Despite the national ban on POGOs, criminal syndicates continue to exploit loopholes through various schemes, including love scams,” Gatchalian said.

He also expressed concern that these schemes now extend beyond financial losses.

“Sadly, some of our countrymen are not only being cheated out of their hard-earned money, but others are also becoming victims of prostitution,” Gatchalian said.

Meanwhile, the CICC said it has identified six common scammer profiles: the “sad boy/sad girl,” who shares emotional hardships before soliciting money; the “seducer,” who extracts intimate photos; the “investor,” who pitches joint cryptocurrency ventures; the “serviceman,” who pretends to be overseas military personnel; the “escort,” who demands advance payments; and the “slow burner,” who builds long-distance relationships before requesting financial help.

-Paraluman News