Stay safe from romance fraudsters

Recently there has been a rise in Romance frauds in the West Midlands region and we want the public to be aware to protect themselves and other people in their community.

Romance fraud happens when you think you've met the perfect partner through an online dating website or app, but the other person is using a fake profile to form a relationship with you. They're using the site / platform to gain your trust and ask you for money or enough personal information to steal your identity.

Offenders will exploit peoples trust over a prolonged period. Romance fraud remains a high-risk fraud, impacting those targeted financially, emotionally, and psychologically. Victims of romance fraud often suffer significant financial losses, but also face the psychological and emotional impact of losing a partner and support system after having been manipulated and deceived in such a callous, calculated way.

Despite the recognised under reporting, offences have risen by nearly 5% in the past year, and losses to individuals can be in excess of £100,000.

Statistics will show this crime type affects all genders equally and across a range of ages.

How to stay safe from romance fraudsters:

• If you have met someone via a dating app, stay within the messaging function of the application. Don’t feel pressured to hand over your mobile number and move the conversation over to SMS or a messaging platform like Whatsapp or Telegram.
• Be very suspicious of any requests for money from someone you have never met in person.
• Be cautious about how much personal information you are sharing online and who you are sharing information with.
• Please speak to your family or friends to get advice and perspective. Fraudsters will subtly isolate you for their own purposes.
• Profile photos may not be genuine. Performing a reverse image searchcan find photos that have 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:

• send them any money, even in the form of gift cards;
• allow them access to your bank account;
• transfer money on their behalf;
• take a loan out for them;
• provide copies of your personal documents, such as passports or driving licenses;
• invest your own money on their behalf or on their advice;
• purchase and send the codes on gift cards; or
• agree to receive and/or send parcels on their behalf (laptops, mobile phones etc.)

Romance fraud is one of the top five most commonly reported frauds to Action Fraud. Action Fraud also run the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit (NECVU) which provides support and advice to victims of fraud and helps prevent them from falling victim to fraud again.

To report fraud to Action Fraud, fill out the online fraud reporting tool or call 0300 123 2040. You can also call your local police force on 101 as they have officers and staff to assist you, however if there is something happening and it is an emergency please call 999.  

If you have lost any money, it is important you also immediately report it to your bank by calling the number on the back of your bank card.