Get Safe Online and Action Fraud are urging people to be careful with not just your heart but also your safety, if you do online dating.
Liberal Democrat Councillor for the East Marsh Learn more
by Steve Beasant on 13 February, 2015
The statistics issued by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) show the UK public lost £34 million to ‘romance’ fraudsters in 2014, a 33% increase in fraud cases in compared to 2013.
Get Safe Online and Action Fraud are urging people to be careful with not just your heart but also your safety, if you do online dating.
The figures reveal that online dating fraud in the UK is on the rise, with a 33% increase in fraud cases in 2014* compared to 2013** and costing the UK public £34 million compared to £24.5 million in the previous year.
There is also a significant rise in reported fraud cases from April 2014 to May 2014, suggesting that in the blissful wake of Valentine’s Day people may become more susceptible to romance scams, letting their heart rule their head.
Fraudsters favour money transfers
The figures also demonstrate exactly how and where fraudsters are choosing to exploit their victims. 54% of fraud sufferers paid by money transfer (E.g. Money Gram or Western Union) narrowly shadowed by payments taken directly from bank accounts, which was the payment method used by 37% of victims.
Tell-tale signs your online date may be a fraudster:
They start asking you to send them money using a number of different scenarios such as:
Get Safe Online recommends the following tips to make sure you’re safe online:
Tony Neate, CEO at Get Safe Online, commented: “It’s great when you click with someone online, just make sure you’re clicking safely! If someone you’ve never met declares their undying love for you after two online conversations, then this should raise suspicions. Likewise, it’s unlikely that someone would need to borrow money off somebody they have never met, or only just met, and there is no reason for anyone to ask you for money or your financial information, no matter what sob story they give.
Detective Superintendent Pete O’Doherty at the City of London Police said: “Dating fraudsters are heartless criminals who mostly operate online to manipulate their victims into believing they’ve established a strong emotional bond. Often the fraudster will not ask directly for money, preferring to bide their time and build a bond with their victim before ultimately inventing a reason why they urgently need money transferred into their account.”
“We advise that you never send funds to someone you have never met. If you’re in two minds always consult with a trusted friend or family member who will be able to view the situation objectively and provide some sound advice. It is also very important that if you think you are being targeted or have been a victim of dating fraud that you report it to Action Fraud. Sharing this information will help us identify and track down the criminals who are callously attempting to capitalise on people who are simply searching for love.”
* 9 months to 31 December 2014 ** 9 months to 31 December 2013
Read more on the Get Safe Online website.
If you are a victim of fraud you can call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use their online fraud reporting tool and receive a police crime reference number.
Leave a comment
Leave a Reply