The search for love has become a booming business, especially online.

With as many as 40 million single Americans dating online, websites catering to people looking for a relationship bring in about $2 billion annually.

But sometimes people looking for romance online find themselves flirting with danger.

Law enforcement officials say Internet romances can often lead people to become victims of anything from fraud to sexual and domestic abuse by criminals hiding behind virtual identities.

Craigslist and Plentyoffish.com are the sites that have caused the most problems locally, says Det. James Marsh with the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office.

“It’s important for people to remember, when people put up an online profile, they’re not telling the truth. They can tell you whatever they think you ...