WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Officials with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and local law enforcement are announcing an increase in reports of people being victimized by scammers attempting to get money from victims’ by either earning their affections or coercing them with threats of arrest.
The Romance Scam
The FBI has increased their emphasis on romance scams during this Valentines Day season.
In romance scams, a criminal uses a fake online identity to gain a victim’s affection and trust. The scammer then uses the illusion of a romantic or close relationship to manipulate and/or steal from the victim.
The scammer wants to establish a relationship as quickly as possible, endear himself to the victim, and gain trust. Scammers may propose marriage and make plans to meet in person, but that will never happen. Eventually, they will ask for money.
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Click for more informationThe criminals who carry out romance scams are experts at what they do and will seem genuine, caring, and believable. Con artists are present on most dating and social media sites.
Scam artists often say they are in the building and construction industry and are engaged in projects outside the U.S. That makes it easier to avoid meeting in person—and more plausible when they ask for money for a medical emergency or unexpected legal fee.
– Federal Bureau of Investigation (date unknown)
Arrest Threat Scam
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office says they are seeing an increase in reports of scammers claiming to be law enforcement.
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The caller uses the actual name, title and similar badge number of an employee of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, demands money, and threatens to arrest you on an outstanding warrant.
Although many of these types of callers use telephone numbers with Whatcom County area codes and prefix numbers, most of the persons engaged in this fraudulent activity are actually out of state or out of the country and are very difficult to identify and capture.
Just. Hang. Up!
– Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (February 9, 2026)
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AI-powered Investment Scam
Washington Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) is urging investors to beware of AI-powered investment scams. There was more than $12.5 billion in reported losses in 2024.
Chatbots and deepfakes are among the AI tools used by fraudsters to rob investors of their hard-earned money.
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more sophisticated, the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) joins the North American Securities Administrators Association in urging investors to stay vigilant against a growing wave of AI-powered investment scams.
From convincing chatbots to realistic deepfakes, fraudsters are increasingly using AI tools to mislead and manipulate. These scams are becoming harder to detect and more costly to investors. Each year, North American investors lose billions of dollars to fraud, with losses continuing to rise steadily.
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Click for more informationDFI recommends the following steps to safeguard your investments:
- Verify registration: Visit DFI’s website to Verify Financial Services and Industry Licenses in Washington State and confirm that the individual or firm is registered to sell investments.
- Check for warnings: Look up alerts or enforcement actions from DFI’s securities division.
- Understand the technology: Learn how AI tools work and how they can be used to manipulate. NASAA Investor Alert: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Investment Fraud
- Report suspicious activity: File a complaint to report scams or suspected financial exploitation to DFI, Washington’s Securities regulator.
Be cautious if you encounter:
- Promises of guaranteed high returns with little or no risk.
- Pressure to act quickly or secrecy around the opportunity.
- Unanswered questions or vague explanations.
- Use of personal relationships or social networks to build trust.
– Washington Department of Financial Institutions (February 2, 2026)
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