US CFTC reminds users to be wary of online dating and crypto investment scams

According to Foresight News, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) issued the "Six Warning Signs of Online Financial Dating Scams" announcement stating that after scammers contact users through "wrong number" text messages or likes, they may use fake names and photos to try to establish friendship or romantic relationships, and then change the topic to crypto assets or foreign exchange trading. The announcement cited data saying that such dating and "pig-killing" gangs defrauded more than $3.5 billion in 2023.

The warning signs listed by the CFTC include: requests to be transferred to private messaging applications, frequent contact but never in person, claims to get rich from crypto or foreign exchange, recommendations for trading websites that only accept cryptocurrencies, requests to transfer funds to their wallets or designated platforms, and short-term easy profits on accounts.