Action Fraud is warning people to stay vigilant as romance scams pick up pace as Valentine’s Day approaches. The National Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting Centre has issued the alert to potential victims as well as concerned friends and family.
Fraudsters behind romance scams dupe victims into sending them money, going to great lengths to convince victims that they are in a real relationship. These criminals will use language to manipulate, persuade and exploit so that any requests for money do not raise the alarm.
Scammers will usually appeal for financial help from a victim for things like emergency medical costs, transport costs in order to visit the victim or funds to pay for embassy visits or a new passport. Now, with Valentine’s Day on the horizon, Action Fraud is advising people to watch out for the signs that a family member or a friend could potentially be being duped.
Read more: Romance fraud scammer tried to convince woman to part with thousands of pounds after online chats
Signs of romance scams to watch out for
Friends and family are warned to watch out for any of these signs in their loved ones:
They may be very secretive about their relationship or provide excuses for why their online partner has not video called or met them in person.
They might become hostile or angry, and withdraw from a conversation when you ask any questions about their partner
They may express very strong emotions and commitment to someone they have only just met
They have sent, or are planning to send, money to someone they have not met face-to-face. They may take out loans or withdraw from their pension to send money.
How to stay safe from romance scams
Action Fraud advises users to remember to stay vigilant. If you have met a romantic partner online, be suspicious if they ask you to send money, especially if you haven’t met in person. Get advice from your loved ones on the situation, and if possible, investigate any online profiles of people you are speaking to. Reverse image searches will reveal if the profile picture of the person you are talking to is genuine or has been taken from somewhere, or someone, else.
It is important that no matter how long you’ve been speaking to someone online and how much you think you trust them, if you have not met them in person it’s important that you do not share personal information - such as passwords, bank account information, addresses.
The experts at Action Fraud say you should be financially safe and refuse to send money or share access to your bank account. You should never agree to take out a loan on somebody’s behalf, move or transfer money for someone or receive or send parcels.
What to do if you are a victim of a romance scam
Hundreds of people are affected by romance scams each year, and victims should not be embarrassed or ashamed. If you fear you have been a victim of a scam and have sent money to someone, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud.
Action Fraud is the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crimes and has urged people to get in contact if they have been a victim in romance scams. Victims should contact their bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk.
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