Dating & Romance Fraud

7,660 individuals reported being victims of a dating scam last year with reported losses totaling £84.1m, however, many losses are never reported.

Romance Scams are on the increase with both men and women being lured by the fraudster’s tricks. Victims are often targeted via online dating sites and apps or through social media with fraudsters using fake profiles to form a relationship with their victim. Romance fraud is one of eight high-priority crime types assessed by the City of London’s National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) as having significant impact on UK citizens.

How these Criminals strike:

• Criminals use fake online profiles to form relationships with victims and make them think they’ve met their perfect partner, to get their money or personal information. This occurs on dating sites and other platforms that have a messaging function, such as Facebook, Instagram, and gaming sites and apps.
• Romance fraudsters will talk to the victim for weeks, or even months, to build up their trust before creating a time-critical emergency that requires the victim’s help. This is usually something emotive that pulls at their heartstrings, for example, paying an urgent medical bill for a sick family member.
• Romance fraudsters don’t just ask for money. They can also ask for: access to the victim’s bank accounts loans to be taken out, or investments made, on their behalf copies of the victim’s personal documents, like a passport or driving license, gift card codes, the victim to receive and/or send parcels. These scams are often also known as “pig butchering”.
• Fraudsters are highly trained professionals who are experts in creating highly validating narratives. Such narratives can gently “groom” their target.
• Fraudsters use clever tactics which include isolating their victim from sources of support. They will groom their victims in to being unable to see beyond the fake reality that they have created.

When you realise you have been the victim of a scam it can be very difficult to come to terms with. Many emotions come into play with victims reporting that they felt highly distressed, shocked, ashamed, angry, betrayed, upset, and embarrassed. Some victims lose confidence in their own judgement.

Victims often hide the fact that they have fallen victim to a scam from their family or friends. If you have been the victim of a scam, it is not only important to report it but also to seek support for yourself, whether that is reaching out to a trustworthy person or speaking to your GP or a counsellor.

If you have been the victim of a Romance Fraudster it is important to remember that you are not to blame and are not alone. Seeking help is crucial.

Our team here at Resolved Claims are experienced in sensitively supporting those who have been the victim of this crime with a view to assisting clients in receiving compensation.

For more information please call us on 0800 368 5110 or email us at info@resolvedclaims.co.uk or request a callback via our website www.resolvedclaims.co.uk