Editor's note: Here is a blog post from Valentine's Day last year - but it still applies. The article in the link below has been updated.

To mark Valentine's Day, here's an item that goes to show you can get ripped off doing just about anything -- including looking for a date online. If you're getting to know that special someone on a dating Web site and you hear sob stories and an eventual request for money, look out.I personally took a call from a consumer three years ago who was convinced she had met (though never in person) her soul mate. The man claimed to live in another country and wanted to move to Missouri to marry her... after he bribed an African government to get his kids released from captivity. Naturally, he needed some of her money to pay the bribe. I couldn't convince her it was a scam. Never heard the outcome of that story, but good chance he broke her bank account as well as her heart.