Romance fraudsters target single people in South Yorkshire
The pandemic is seeing more and more people in South Yorkshire being scammed on dating sites.
Victims of so-called romance fraud here have lost more than £600,000 in the last year - and incidents are rising.
It sees people tricked into giving money to a criminal, who poses as a potential partner. Almost a hundred people in our county fell victim to it in the last year.
A Rotherham widow, who is among the hundreds of people who have been affected, is urging people to be vigilant of fraudsters.
The 61 year-old struggled to pay her bills and buy food after handing over more than £10,000.
Jane - whose name we have changed - was first contacted by the offender on Facebook.
She said: "He sent me a friend request. With being on my own, and not going out, I accepted the request and we started talking. He asked me why I was on my own, I told him I'd lost my husband five years ago and I was lonely. He said, 'I'll be here for you, you can always talk to me.'
"He just said all the things I wanted to hear. I thought he was genuine - I thought I was getting to know somebody and we were going to meet."
The offender claimed he needed cash sending for things like a plane tickets so her could visit, and airport fees. The sums of money got higher over several months, until Jane has sent a total of £10,300.
Jane said: "To anyone else out there I'd just say be careful - and as soon as they ask for money just say you haven't got it. I wish I'd done that. It's really upset me, I feel stupid. I got sucked in."
South Yorkshire Police is supporting a national campaign to raise awareness of romance fraud and provide advice to the public, following a 26 per cent rise in reports to Action Fraud nationally in the last year.
Action Fraud has received 97 reports of romance fraud from victims - both men and women - in South Yorkshire in the 12 months up to August 2020, with reported losses of more than £611,000. All age groups have been targeted in our area but the majority of victims are over 40 years old.
If you think you have been the victim of romance fraud, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or online at www.actionfraud.police.uk.