**[U.S. Prosecutors Issue Warning: Valentine's Day Approaches, Surge in Crypto-Related "Pig Butchering" Romance Scams]** According to a report by Jinse Finance, U.S. prosecutors have warned that Valentine's Day, traditionally a peak season for flowers and dating apps, is increasingly becoming a high-risk period for romance scams. These scams are increasingly linked to cryptocurrency fraud and organized crime networks. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio issued a warning on Thursday, urging the public to remain vigilant. Scammers often establish online romantic relationships to defraud victims of money. After weeks or even months of emotional manipulation, they typically persuade victims to make payments in cryptocurrency and participate in fake investment schemes. Such cases now frequently overlap with what researchers refer to as "pig butchering" scams — long-term schemes that combine emotional manipulation with fraudulent cryptocurrency investment platforms. Ohio prosecutors highlighted several red flags, including: - Requests to move conversations from dating platforms to WhatsApp or Telegram - Early declarations of love - Persistent refusal to meet in person - Requests for transfers via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers Senior analyst Balazs Faluvegi from BrokerChooser noted that the devastating impact of these scams lies in their high level of concealment. He stated, "Unlike traditional scams that act quickly, these schemes exploit both emotional and financial vulnerabilities simultaneously."