Don’t be tempted to fall in love at first swipe this Valentine’s season

FEBRUARY is the season of love and romance – but it is also a key date for fraudsters aiming to steal your money as well as your heart.

According to statistics from Action Fraud, reports of romance fraud have increased by 40 per cent in the year to April 2021.

Dating online without meeting in person has become the new normal throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

However, fraudsters have duped those looking for love out of an estimated £73.9m during this period, with Action Fraud receiving 7,754 reports.

Sadly, due to many victims feeling too embarrassed or upset to tell the authorities, this figure is likely to be much higher. 

Some seven million UK residents are believed to be registered on dating sites, with Tinder taking the lion’s share of the market when it comes to online dating apps.

However, while for many it may be romance and roses; for countless others it can spiral into heart break and financial misery when looking for love at first swipe.

Fraudsters trick victims into sending money or gather enough personal information to steal their identities, resulting in financial and emotional misery.

The majority of accounts on dating websites are genuine people looking for romance or companionship, but fraudsters may try to contact you by making fake profiles, getting in touch and building what feels like a loving relationship.

Once a fraudster using a fake dating profile is confident that they’ve won your trust, they will tell you about a problem they’re experiencing and ask you to help out by sending money.

They may have arranged to visit you but need money to pay for the flight or visa. They may tell you everything has been booked but their ticket has been stolen, and you need to send money quickly to get them on the next flight.

Alternatively, they may prey on your sympathies, telling you a family member or someone else they are responsible for is ill and they need money for medical treatment.

Once you send them money, the fraudsters will keep coming back and invent new reasons to send them more.

There are a few simple steps to keep yourself, and your loved ones, safe:

D - Don't rush into an online relationship. Get to know the person, not the profile, ensuring you ask plenty of questions. The vast majority of romance fraud is initiated online.

A - Analyse their profile. Protect yourself by confirming their identity. Check the person is genuine by putting the following into your search engine: their name, profile picture (by simply using a reverse image search) and any repeatedly used phrases, along with the term 'dating scam'.

T - Talk to your friends and family. Be wary of anyone who tells you not to tell others about them. Romance fraud involves grooming over a long period of time. Alienating a victim from their friends and family can make up part of that process.

E - Evade scams. Never send money or share your bank details with someone you've only met online. it doesn't matter how long you've been speaking to them or what story they give behind needing the sum.

S - Stay on the dating site messenger service. Fraudsters will often encourage their victims to use different communications channels that are often undetectable. Be confident that you know who you are speaking to and be wary if they fail to meet you in person.

If you think you are a victim of romance fraud, contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. For more information on this and other types of fraud, visit www.actionfraud.police.uk