New Delhi, Feb 12: As Valentine’s Day approaches, Check Point Software Technologies, a global leader in cybersecurity, has issued a warning about a sharp rise in Valentine-themed cyber threats. Researchers have identified an increase in phishing websites, fake e-commerce stores, and look-alike dating platforms aimed at stealing personal and financial information from unsuspecting consumers.
Surge in Valentine-Themed Domains
Check Point researchers observed that from March to December 2025, an average of 474 new Valentine-related domains were registered per month. In January 2026, registrations jumped to 696 — a 44% increase. In just the first five days of February, 152 additional domains were detected, a 36% increase compared to the daily average in January. Nearly all (97.5%) remain unclassified, meaning they could be quickly activated for malicious purposes.
These domains often exploit common search terms like “Valentine’s Day gifts” or “cheap Valentine deals,” making them appear trustworthy to shoppers. Some domains remain dormant until days before February 14 to maximize their impact.
Fake Stores and Look-Alike Dating Sites
Cybercriminals are also leveraging fake e-commerce sites and look-alike dating platforms. For instance, sites like funkovalentine[.]club and tinnder[.]cfd mimic trusted brands and platforms such as Funko and Tinder, luring users to enter credentials or make purchases, ultimately compromising personal data.
Why Valentine’s Day Is a Prime Target
The emotional nature of the holiday — urgency, excitement, and anticipation — makes consumers more likely to click quickly and fall for scams. The combination of a spike in online shopping, increased dating activity, and brand impersonation creates an ideal environment for cybercriminals to exploit.
How to Stay Safe
Check Point advises users to take the following precautions:
- Shop only with trusted retailers and avoid unfamiliar Valentine-themed stores.
- Double-check URLs for misspellings or subtle differences.
- Avoid odd payment requests such as crypto, gift cards, or wire transfers.
- Download dating apps exclusively from official app stores.
- Ignore unsolicited Valentine’s deals via email, SMS, or social media.
- Enable multi-factor authentication to protect accounts even if credentials are compromised.
“Valentine’s Day should be about connection and celebration, not falling victim to cybercrime,” said Audrey Pereira-Loong of Check Point. “We urge consumers to stay vigilant, verify websites, and practice safe online behavior this season.”