Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is working to protect members of the lonely hearts club on Valentine’s Day, offering tips for singles to avoid scammers in their search for love.

“Romance scams can be emotionally and financially devastating,” Nessel said in a Thursday statement. “It’s crucial to protect yourself so searching for love isn’t exploited by bad actors. Be safe this Valentine’s Day and be wary of anyone who avoids meeting in person, asks for money due to an emergency or pressures you to pay using gift cards.”

Nessel warns folks looking for love on dating websites and apps, social media, and similar platforms are often targeted by unscrupulous con artists who quickly profess love, before coming up with excuses for why they can’t meet in person.

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Common excuses include military service, or work abroad, according to Nessel.

“Do not send money, prepaid gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to someone you met online,” the AG advises. “Communicate only through the specific app and avoid giving out personal phone numbers or email addresses.

“If someone appears on your social media and rushes you to start a friendship or romance, slow down and talk to someone you trust before responding,” the advice read.

Other suggestions include the use of a reverse Google Image search to verify profile pictures, and to avoid opening a bank account or agreeing to reship goods for strangers.

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While Michigan’s top law enforcement official aims to help the gullible yearning for love, other law enforcement officials are leveraging Valentine’s Day to make their jobs easier.

Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough posted a “2025 Valentine’s Day Special” on Facebook this week that may be too good for many love scorned residents to pass up.

“Attention citizens of Monroe County! Valentine’s Day is almost here and you all know what that means … Sheriff Goodnough is announcing the 2025 Valentine’s Day Special!” the post read.

“Do you have an ex-Valentine with outstanding warrants? Do you have information that they are driving with drugs or weapons in the vehicle? Give us a call with their location and we will take care of the rest,” it continued.

“This Valentine’s Day Special starts off with a set of limited-edition platinum bracelets, free transportation with a chauffeur, a one-night minimum stay with luxurious accommodations, and a professional glamour shot that may be posted online for all to enjoy,” the post read. “This special is capped off with a very special Valentine’s dinner.

“This special is too sweet to pass up!” it concludes. “Don’t wait! Operators are standing by.”

Goodnough told the Detroit Free Press he brought the Valentine’s Day Special to the department about three years ago after hearing about agencies in other states offering the same.

It’s “kind of an interesting concept” that offers a little light in an otherwise serious job, he said.

“It’s my job to rewrite the narrative,” Goodnough told the Free Press.

It’s also “my job as sheriff to be the voice for the victims,” he said. “Let’s hold these individuals accountable. We do it with a little laughter and fun.”

The special has “always been very productive” with calls leading to three to 10 arrests per year, he said, though the sheriff hasn’t kept statistics.