The PSNI have issued some advice on how to avoid being ripped off and what red flags to look out for
A woman from Co Fermanagh lost more than £40,000 in a “devastating” online romance scam reported recently.
Police said the woman from Enniskillen is believed to have met the fraudster online, communicating with one another on social media. The relationship then grew over time, before the woman was persuaded into transferring money, which she did on multiple occasions, either sending money directly or purchasing gift cards to send codes on to the scammer.
Detective Inspector Harris said: “These scammers are highly skilled at emotional manipulation and at creating a fake romantic interest which their victim believes.
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“They cruelly invest weeks or months in grooming their victims before asking for money, and this incident is a prime example of how persuasive these fraudsters can be, building an emotional connection with their victim only to take advantage. Sadly, many victims feel too embarrassed to come forward, which allows offenders to continue preying on others.
“As a service, we warn the public of the dangers of romance scams frequently and that these crimes can happen at any time of the year on many social media platforms or dating apps used to meet others. Fraudsters will seek to build a relationship quickly with the victim, to chat or text away from the dating site or app you first met them on. To do this the criminals use some common tactics, invent stories or fabricate emergencies, such as medical bills or travel costs, pulling on the heart strings of the recipient.
“They will promise they will pay you back. However, they do not intend to do so because they do not exist. All they wanted was your money and to get as much of it as possible – not a romantic relationship.”
PSNI tips to avoid romance scams
Detective Inspector Harris continued: “It’s tempting to ignore doubts and see what we want to see being the promises of a relationship, but the following steps can help protect you against romance scammers, if you’re actively pursuing online dating:
“Always keep communication on the dating website or app you’re using. Many have in-built security and assistance. They also take steps to remove and ban fake accounts so you’re kept safe.
“Conduct your own research on the person you’re speaking to, checking their social media presence across various platforms. Look at key details such as name, location and family members, to help identify inconsistencies in what you have been told.
“Profile pictures can be deceiving and be taken from anywhere on the internet. You can use various websites to check photos using a reverse image search to prove if the photo is legitimate.
“Never EVER send money to someone you haven’t met in person. If you’re looking for friendship, companionship or love online it should never start with being asked for money regardless of reason, and if it does, it’s not a relationship worth having.
“Always remember to stay on site, using reputable dating platforms. Be alert and keep yourself safe.”
If you have been a victim of a scam, report it to police on 101, to your bank immediately, and online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. Information and advice is also available at http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/scamwiseni or the ScamwiseNI Facebook page @scamwiseni.
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