Accounts from three victims who have experienced the crime of romance fraud have been launched by police. Each film detail tactics used by criminals, and highlights not only the financial implications of this online crime but the wider emotional impact, on victims.
Det Supt Kerry Wood, Head of Economic Crime for the Metropolitan Police, said: “Romance fraud is one of the most devastating types of fraud we deal with, and it can happen to anybody at any time. Romance fraud doesn’t just lead to people losing thousands of pounds – it’s also an abuse of trust which has a devasting impact on people’s confidence and sense of self-worth.
“If you are speaking to someone online, no matter how long you’ve known them and how much you trust them, it’s vital to take a step back, verify who you are speaking to and get help if you’ve been a victim. Awareness is the most powerful defence against fraud. By talking openly, we can protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities from this deeply personal and damaging crime and bring those responsible to justice.
“Recognising the language used by criminals is key and this is often identified by friends and family rather than the victim themselves.”
The videos are on YouTube. They were launched at a City of London Police event, which is the National Lead Force for fraud; that heard speakers from Bumble Inc, the regulator Ofcom, the trade body UK Finance, Barclays, and the Met. Police estimate that romance fraud cost UK victims over £106m last year.
To report
To report an incident, report to Action Fraud, by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting their website. You can also report it anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers here and get support by visiting LoveSaid. For more on fraud, how to spot it, and how to protect yourself, visit https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk. The Online Dating & Discovery Association offers further advice on how to ‘Date Safe’.
