Kentuckians are being warned against potential catfishing scams as Valentine’s Day approaches. Attorney General Andy Beshear warns citizens that if an online love interest or new friends asks for money, it is most likely a scam. According to the Federal Trade Commission, reports of romance scams have tripled over the past five years and in 2016, $220 million was lost nationwide to online dating scams. It’s recommended to never seen untraceable methods of payment to anyone you just met online, and to watch for signs associated with scams, such as: falling in love or befriending quickly; saying they work overseas or serving abroad in the military; asks you leave the official dating or social media site to communicate; or claims they need money for an emergency and says they will pay you back when they come to meet you. It’s also recommended that veterans, active service members, reservists and guard members conduct a regular Google image search to help prevent their photos from being used by scammers.