Avon and Somerset Police: spot the 'red flags' on dating apps this Valentine's Day
According to Crimestoppers, nationally, the average victim loses £10k and, in 2021, a total of £99million was lost in romance fraud scams
As Valentine's Day rolls around for 2023, we're once again being urged to look out for the 'red flags' when using dating apps and websites.
PCC Mark Shelford and Avon and Somerset Police are leading the campaign against romance fraud, which involves scammers masquerading as romantic partners.
After laying down the groundwork for a ‘relationship’ with a victim, the fraudster will start to ask for favours like sending money, providing personal and financial information or purchasing gift cards or items for them.
Often, the scammers will use a range of stories to try and persuade victims to send them financial gifts without it raising suspicion - with some scammers even sending across false documentation to prove who they are.
According to Crimestoppers, nationally, the average victim loses £10k and, in 2021, a total of £99million was lost in romance fraud scams.
National lead for Economic and Cybercrime, PCC Mark Shelford said: “Romance fraud is an awful, heart-breaking crime. Victims invest time into someone, thinking they have a genuine personal connection when, in fact, they have been scammed.
“In some cases, victims struggle to end communication and their ‘relationship’ with the fraudster as they do not always believe they have been defrauded and have emotionally invested in the offender.
“Whatever the outcome, romance fraud is a heart-breaking crime and I know victims can often feel ashamed when they realise they have been scammed. Please know support is available from the police and Action Fraud. If you think a family member or a friend is a victim of this terrible crime, please make them aware of the signs and help them access help.”
Amy Horrobin, Fraud Protect Officer, added: “It’s common for victims of romance fraud to tell us they were reluctant to come forward, because they either refused to believe what has happened to them was a fraud or they feel embarrassed.
“Our message to anyone in that situation is to please report it to Action Fraud. You will not be judged and you will be supported.
“The financial and emotional harm romance fraud causes is all too readily apparent. So we want people to look for potential warning signs that the person they are in contact with might not be who they say they are, especially if you have never met them.
“These include: very early declarations of love; an urgent emergency or sob story where they require money or items to be purchased such as gift cards, jewellery or cryptocurrency; the person you are speaking to claims to live/ work overseas – maybe in the military or as a medical professional; and excuses why they cannot either meet in person or take part in a video call with a clear picture and sound. Like other frauds, make sure you do not share personal details or private banking information with them.”
How to help protect yourself from romance fraud
- Ensure you have adequate privacy settings on your social media accounts so strangers cannot access their personal information
- Do not transfer money to anyone you have not met in person
- Speaking to your family and friends to get advice
How to protect others from romance fraud
- Stay in regular contact with your friends and family who are online dating to help spot any changes in behaviour or things that don’t seem right
- Make friends and family away of the signs of romance fraud so they are conscious of the tactics criminals use to carry out these scams and reiterate that you should never transfer money to someone that you have never met in person
- Encourage people to report to Action Fraud and the police if they have become a victim of romance fraud and not to be embarrassed about doing so
Take Five to Stop Fraud
Stop: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe
Challenge: Could it be fake? It’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore requests. Only criminals will try to push or panic you
Protect: if you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.