Catfishing Alert: Valentine's Week Scams Target Lonely Hearts, Know How to Protect Yourself

• Catfishing involves creating fake online profiles to lure individuals into romantic traps, often leading to financial or emotional fraud.
• McAfee's 2026 report reveals 33% of Indians have been catfished, with 75% encountering AI-generated dating profiles.
• One in seven Indians has lost an average of ₹2,80,650 to romance scams, with young adults (18-34) being primary targets.
• Scammers exploit emotional vulnerability during Valentine's Week, using AI chatbots and fake offers to steal personal data or money.
• Protect yourself by insisting on video calls, never sending money, being wary of quick commitments, and avoiding suspicious QR codes.