India, Feb. 10 -- As Valentine's Day draws closer, online activity linked to gifts, messages, and dating rises sharply. Scammers use this period to target people who shop, connect, or share personal details online. By using emotional triggers and time pressure, they try to extract money or data. Awareness remains the best defence. Here are five online scams that often increase around February 14 and how to avoid them.

Romance scams continue to cause heavy losses each year. These usually begin on dating apps or social media platforms. A stranger may show a strong interest within a short time and push the conversation toward private chats. They often avoid meeting or video calls. After gaining trust, they claim to face an emergency and ask...