Gardaí in the midlands are urging people to report romance scams.
Victims of romance fraud are being advised to report it.
As the country celebrates Valentines Day today, Laois Offaly Crime Prevention Officer Sgt. Graham Kavanagh says no one should feel embarrassed about admitting they have given money to someone they met online.
Almost two million euro was stolen by scammers last year - seven in 10 of the all victims were women.
A pensioner lost €100,000 after she met a man on a dating app who claimed to be working abroad and needed the money.
Sgt. Kavanagh says the age of victims ranges from 20s - 70s and says there are signs people can look out for:
Enterprise Department Confirms Over 80 Westmeath Jobs At Risk
Offaly Teacher Pays Tribute To Colleagues After Winning STEM Award
Asthma Society of Ireland Hold Workshop In Laois This Weekend
Laois TD Calls For Shorter Ambulance Deployment Distance
Uisce Eireann Publish Shannon Pipeline Consultation Submissions Report
70% Of Farming Families Lack Succession Plan
Mental Health Charity Triple Counselling Sessions After Citywest Protests
Westmeath Library To Close For Three Months From Today
Drug Usage On The Rise In The Midlands
Shannon Callows Farmers Demand Inclusion In Flood Management Group
Offaly Teachers Win National STEM Award
Appeal Lodged Against 600 Acre Laois Solar Farm Project
Government Funding To Benefit Midlands Historical Structures
Former GAA Referee Pleads Guilty To Indecent Assault
Laois TD Warns EU Plans Threaten Irish Neutrality
Almost One Million Cigarettes Seized In Offaly
Management Can Easily End Industrial Action - SIPTU
Westmeath Credit Union Manager Wins Lifetime Achievement Award
Midlands Readers Encouraged To Take Part in MS Readathon