Around £1 million has been lost to dating scams in Lincolnshire over the last 13 months
Police forces are reminding people to be on their guard against fraud this Valentines
We're being warned to have our guard up against fraud this Valentine's day - as around 1 million pounds has been lost to dating scams in Lincolnshire.
Over the last 13 months, there's been around 140 reports of the issue.
Sergeant Melanie Standbrooke is from the prevention and partnerships team at Lincolnshire Police and says talking about it is very important:
"The rise of the digital world, is obviously making it worse, but also the rise of online dating, the way that people meet people, the way that people engage with people, you know, it has made it more accessible.
"I think as we quite often work with victims after they've already had their money stolen, that it's about just making sure that people have that stay safe advice. To keep talking to your family and friends, and don't be embarrassed to actually reach out for help. Don't be embarrassed to call the police to say I think this is what's happened, or call Action Fraud.
"You know, a lot of people say that they don't don't come forward to report fraud or report they've had their money stolen because of that embarrassment, because they've entered into that relationship or they've entered into a friendship online, and then they feel that they can't speak to their family members, and that's kind of where, you know, they are having their money stolen. So it is just being really mindful of that."
She also told us what people can look out for:
"So, criminals will pose as people looking to find love or relationships online. But actually they're not looking for anything of the sort. Their only purpose is to take money from you, to steal your money, and they will use really emotive language; they'll say they love you and they want to spend their lives with you. It's really powerful words and emotive which then elicit those positive responses with some people.
"So some people obviously believe they're in a genuine relationship, so the victims will believe they're in a genuine relationship and it kind of starts with requests for help, and they start thinking that you are the only person that could help them.
"So, they really do manipulate you. It turns into something bigger, and then obviously that's when they steal the victim's money, and they just keep coming back to get more and more."
To find out more go to Lincolnshire Police's website.