Warning as cruel scammers target online daters in West Yorkshire

Between August 2019 and August 2020, Action Fraud received over 400 reports a month from victims of romance fraud in the UK.

In West Yorkshire, 214 reports were made with victims losing a total of £1.3million.

Romance fraud is when a scammer pretends to form a relationship with the victim but instead cons them out of money.

-> Five ways you can support our Stop The Scammers campaignWest Yorkshire Police (WYP) are now urging people to learn how to spot the signs of this type of fraud,

Ramona Senior, head of WYP's Economic Crime Unit, said: “Victims can suffer not only a monetary loss but a terrible emotional strain too.

“Criminals spend a long time weaving their way into a victim’s on-line life – and will make a victim feel wanted and loved. But it is all a scam to steal money.

“Understandably victims feel they are in a real and loving relationship but when they find out they have been the victim of a heartless scam it can be devastating.

“Our statistics show it can happen to anyone – with victims of all ages, sexes and professions targeted by the sophisticated criminals.

"Victims will often feel embarrassed too – but criminals are experts at impersonating people and will spend hours researching people for their scams.

“By knowing how to spot potential signs people can reduce their chances of being a victim and that is why we as a Force are showing our support for this campaign.

"I would also urge anyone who has been a victim to report what has happened to them without fear of embarrassment – it can happen to anyone.”

Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), said: “Covid-19 has often brought out the best in many people, but unfortunately has also seen criminals exploit and take advantage of these circumstances in order to steal from individuals online.

“They prey on people’s vulnerability and gain their trust before tricking them in the cruellest ways. Many individuals affected may then feel they can’t report the crime because they feel embarrassed. But, I would encourage anyone to come forward and report if they have been targeted in this way.

“And I would urge people to be as vigilant online, if not more so, as they would be day to day in other circumstances.

“Education and awareness are vital and I am really pleased to join with West Yorkshire Police in supporting this national campaign aimed at educating people and ensuring criminals are not successful in their cruel online exploitation, which can have an awful impact and consequences.”

Signs to spot:

- Someone you have struck an online relationship with declares their love quite quickly and talk about milestones such as marriage.

- Many fraudsters say they are based abroad, often working in the military or medical profession or are carrying out important charity work so they can appear heroic and trustworthy.

- Criminals will constantly make up excuses why they can’t video chat or meet in person.

- They will also try to get you to move your conversation off the online platform you are on.

- To steal your money they will ask for financial help and say it is for a time critical emergency and something that is emotive that pulls at your heartstrings.

- They will also tell you to keep your relationship private and insist you don’t discuss anything you talk about with your friends and family – they will convince you this is part of the normal privacy that forms a healthy relationship.

How to protect yourself

- Avoid giving away too many personal details (e.g. full name, date of birth and home address) to someone you haven’t met – even if what you are doing is for a reason that seems to be harmless (for example your partner wants to send you flowers or a gift).

- Stay on the online site’s messaging service until you meet in person.

- Whatever reason you are given to move away from the site where you met – if the other person is genuine they will accept your decision to stay on it until you meet in person

- Most online platforms have an online reporting tool which can be used if you suspect someone online is using pictures that don’t belong to them, you are suspicious of their behaviour or they have asked you for money. Reporting their user profile means it can be blocked which helps protect others.

If you haven’t met someone in person (no matter how long you have been speaking to them), do not:

o Send them money

o Allow them access to your bank account

o Transfer money on their behalf

o Take a loan out for then

o Provide copies of your personal documents (e.g. passport / driving licence)

o Invest money on their behalf or on their advice

o Purchase and send the codes on gift cards from Amazon or iTunes

o Agree to receive and/or send parcels on their behalf