SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner has urged residents to be wary of romance fraudsters this Valentine’s Day.
Lisa Townsend blasted the criminals behind “heart-breaking” scams, and warned that Surrey victims lose millions each year to fraud.
And she called for anyone who fears they may be affected to come forward and speak to Surrey Plysje.
Lisa said: “Romance fraud is a deeply personal and intrusive crime. The impact it has on its victims is heart-breaking.
“Scammers con their victims into investing time and money under the mistaken belief that they have a genuine personal connection.
“In many cases, it’s difficult for victims to end their ‘relationship’ as they’re so emotionally invested.
“This type of crime can leave people feeling extremely ashamed and embarrassed.
“To anyone who is suffering, please know they’re not alone. Criminals are clever and manipulative, and it is never the fault of someone who has been scammed.
“Surrey Police will always take reports of romance fraud incredibly seriously. I’d urge anyone affected to come forward.”
In total, 172 reports of romance fraud were made to Surrey Police in 2022. Just under 57 per cent of victims were female.
More than half of all victims live alone, and just over one in five were contacted initially via WhatsApp. Around 19 per cent were contacted through a dating app first.
The majority of victims – 47.67 per cent – were aged between 30 and 59. Around 30 per cent were aged between 60 and 74.
‘Never a victim’s fault’
While many people – 27.9 per cent of all victims – didn’t report any losses, 72.1 per cent were defrauded out of sums of money. Of that number, 2.9 per cent lost between £100,000 and £240,000, and one person lost more than £250,000.
In 35.1 per cent of all cases, criminals asked their victims to hand over money via a bank transfer.
Surrey Police has offered the following advice on spotting the signs of a romance fraudster:
- Wês foarsichtich mei it jaan fan persoanlike ynformaasje op in webside of chatroom
- Fraudeurs sille petearen persoanlik meitsje om ynformaasje út jo te heljen, mar sille jo net folle fertelle oer harsels dat jo kinne kontrolearje of ferifiearje
- Romance fraudeurs beweare faak dat se hege rollen hawwe dy't se foar in lange tiid fan hûs hâlde. Dit kin in trick wêze om fertochten te beheinen oer net persoanlik moetsje
- Fraudeurs sille meastentiids besykje te stjoeren jo fuort fan petear ha op legitime dating sites dy't kin wurde kontrolearre
- Se kinne ferhalen fertelle om jo emoasjes te rjochtsjen - bygelyks dat se in sike sibben hawwe of yn it bûtenlân strâne. Se meie net freegje direkt om jild, ynstee hoopje dat jo sille biede út 'e goedens fan jo hert
- Soms stjoert de fraudeur jo weardefolle items lykas laptops en mobile tillefoans foardat jo freegje om se troch te stjoeren. Dit is wierskynlik in manier foar har om elke kriminele aktiviteit te dekken
- Se kinne jo ek freegje om jild op jo bankrekken te akseptearjen en it dan earne oars oer te setten of fia MoneyGram, Western Union, iTunes-bonnen of oare kadokaarten. Dizze senario's binne heul wierskynlik foarmen fan it wytwaskjen fan jild, wat betsjuttet dat jo in misdied sille begean
Foar mear ynformaasje, besite surrey.police.uk/romancefraud
Om kontakt te meitsjen mei Surrey Plysje, skilje 101, brûk de webside fan Surrey Plysje of nim kontakt op op 'e sosjale mediasiden fan' e Force. Skilje altyd 999 yn in need.