The approaching Valentine's season could leave many in the country vulnerable to romance scams, warned the Belgian financial sector federation Febelfin on Monday.
To protect potential victims, Febelfin has launched a new social media campaign featuring a fake Johnny Depp to warn people about this particular form of fraud.
The campaign aims to inform social media users that numerous fake profiles, often appearing as well-known personalities through AI-generated images and videos, are prevalent online.
Romance scams involve fraudsters contacting their victims through dating sites and apps such as Tinder. These scammers also use email, chat, and social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. Their goal is to exploit their victims' emotions and ultimately steal their money.
Febelfin offers several tips and tricks to recognise these fake profiles and protect both the heart and the wallet. The Federation emphasises that "if it's too good to be true, it probably isn't true."
If someone does fall victim to a romance scam, Febelfin advises contacting the police, gathering as much evidence as possible, and sharing the experience to help others avoid similar traps.
