From Romance to Retail: The Scams You Need to Know Right Now
Author: Adam Collins
Love isn’t just about romantic gestures and heart-shaped chocolates—it’s also a favorite theme for scammers looking to steal your money. While people are busy planning surprise gifts and thoughtful dates, fraudsters are working overtime to lure victims into their latest schemes. From AI-powered romance scams that are more convincing than ever to online shopping traps that look real, scammers are constantly upgrading. Whether you're looking for love, shopping for a special gift, or just minding your own business online, it's important to be aware. Here are some of the latest scams making the rounds—and how to avoid them.
Fake Video Calls: The Face-Swapping Scam
Think you can always spot a scam? With AI technology, fraudsters are making it harder. A leaked video shows how scammers are using AI for real-time face-swapping to trick people into believing they’re talking to someone genuine. These scammers clone voices, create convincing love stories, and before you know it, you’re emotionally invested—and possibly out of cash. If your new online connection seems too perfect, asks for money, or avoids meeting in person, you might be dealing with a high-tech impersonator.
Lovefloraco.com: Too Good to Be True?
A website promising stunning gifts at unbelievable prices might sound tempting, but a closer look at Lovefloraco.com raises red flags. It claims to have been around for years, but its domain history says otherwise. The site pressures shoppers with countdown timers, and while the reviews seem glowing, real customer feedback tells a different story—missing orders and no way to get a refund. If a deal feels rushed or the seller’s history is unclear, it’s worth reconsidering before clicking "buy now."
The ‘Tesco Testers’ Trap
An offer circulating on Meta platforms claims Tesco is looking for “testers” to try an air frying grill, and you can keep it for just £2. Sounds like a steal? That’s because it is—but not for you. Clicking on the provided link takes you to a site that asks a few harmless-sounding questions—before trying to harvest your personal and financial details. If you see this ad, report it immediately by clicking the three dots in the top-right corner and selecting ‘report.’
The Fake Facebook Flag
If you’ve been selling items on Facebook Marketplace, beware of messages claiming your post has been “flagged for review.” These scam messages provide a link to ‘update or edit your post’ and warn that your account could be restricted. But the only thing that will be restricted is your bank balance if you fall for it—because the link leads to a phishing site designed to steal your personal data. To report a scam group, page, or profile on Facebook, click the three dots on the right-hand side and select ‘report.’
Bottom Line: Step Back and Verify
Scammers are upping the tempo, using technology and psychological tricks to make their schemes more convincing. Whether it’s AI-powered romance scams, fake online stores, or phishing links disguised as urgent notifications, staying informed is your best defense. Before trusting a deal, clicking a link, or believing an emotional story, take a step back and verify. A little caution now can save you from a big headache later.
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As the influence of the internet rises, so does the prevalence of online scams. There are fraudsters making all kinds of claims to trap victims online - from fake investment opportunities to online stores - and the internet allows them to operate from any part of the world with anonymity. The ability to spot online scams is an important skill to have as the virtual world is increasingly becoming a part of every facet of our lives. The below tips will help you identify the signs which can indicate that a website could be a scam. Common Sense: Too Good To Be True When looking for goods online, a great deal can be very enticing. A Gucci bag or a new iPhone for half the price? Who wouldn’t want to grab such a deal? Scammers know this too and try to take advantage of the fact. If an online deal looks too good to be true, think twice and double-check things. The easiest way to do this is to simply check out the same product at competing websites (that you trust). If the difference in prices is huge, it might be better to double-check the rest of the website. Check Out the Social Media Links Social media is a core part of ecommerce businesses these days and consumers often expect online shops to have a social media presence. Scammers know this and often insert logos of social media sites on their websites. Scratching beneath the surface often reveals this fu
So the worst has come to pass - you realise you parted with your money too fast, and the site you used was a scam - what now? Well first of all, don’t despair!! If you think you have been scammed, the first port of call when having an issue is to simply ask for a refund. This is the first and easiest step to determine whether you are dealing with a genuine company or scammers. Sadly, getting your money back from a scammer is not as simple as just asking. If you are indeed dealing with scammers, the procedure (and chance) of getting your money back varies depending on the payment method you used. PayPal Debit card/Credit card Bank transfer Wire transfer Google Pay Bitcoin PayPal If you used PayPal, you have a strong chance of getting your money back if you were scammed. On their website, you can file a dispute within 180 calendar days of your purchase. Conditions to file a dispute: The simplest situation is that you ordered from an online store and it has not arrived. In this case this is what PayPal states: "If your order never shows up and the seller can't provide proof of shipment or delivery, you'll get a full refund. It's that simple." The scammer has sent you a completely different item. For example, you ordered a PlayStation 4, but instead received only a Playstation controller. The condition of the item was misrepresented on the product page. This could be the