By Sandra Hernandez

Copyright hoodline

The Roane County Sheriff’s Office has issued a stern warning about the dangers of romance scams proliferating through dating apps and social media platforms. The Sheriff’s Office described how scammers create false profiles to ensnare victims by building trust and emotional connections over time, often with fabricated backstories designed to elicit sympathy and, ultimately, financial exploitation. According to their social media post, the tactics used by scammers include requesting money for supposed expenses, travel, or investment opportunities, eventually disappearing with the victims’ funds.

The Sheriff’s office highlighted key signs of a potential romance scam, such as unwillingness to meet in person, avoidance of phone or video calls, a push to communicate on messaging apps like WhatsApp or Discord, and an insistence on keeping the relationship hidden from family and friends, law enforcement distrust also they might shower you with an excessive amount of affection early on known as “love bombing.” An unfortunately real incident where a local resident fell victim to such a scam was cited, emphasizing the need for caution in online interactions. The advice is clear: never send money to someone you haven’t met in person, and keep trusted people informed about your online relationships to help spot red flags you might miss.

For those who suspect that they might be targeted by these unscrupulous actors, the Roane County Sheriff’s Office advises ceasing all communications and blocking the person across all platforms. They further caution about the sharing of personal information, including photos and videos, which can be used for blackmail or to extract more information. With the perfect blend of empathy and wit, the Facebook post reminds readers that it’s highly improbable for celebrities like Reba McEntire to fall madly in love with them online – an apparent reference to a specific scam the Sheriff’s Office had encountered.