Spot the signs of Romance Fraud

The Met Police is launching a campaign to help the public identify Romance Fraud, a growing crime that targets victims through deception, emotional manipulation and financial exploitation. Last year alone, an estimated £106 million was lost to Romance Fraud.

In collaboration with West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit and City of London Police, the Met has created a series of videos to advise the public on how to protect themselves from criminals online, and where to get help when they are targeted.

The three hard-hitting videos, which are being released to coincide with World Romance Fraud Prevention Day, marked on 3rd October each year, give a real-life account from three victims who have experienced the crime first-hand.

Each film gives information about tactics used by criminals, and highlights not only the financial implications of this online crime but the wider emotional impact it has on victims too.

Detective Superintendent Kerry Wood, Head of Economic Crime for the Met Police, said:

"Romance fraud is one of the most devastating types of fraud we deal with, and it can happen to anybody at any time.

“Romance Fraud doesn’t just lead to people losing thousands of pounds - it’s also an abuse of trust which has a devasting impact on people’s confidence and sense of self-worth.

“If you are speaking to someone online, no matter how long you’ve known them and how much you trust them, it’s vital to take a step back, verify who you are speaking to and get help if you’ve been a victim.

“Awareness is the most powerful defence against fraud. By talking openly, we can protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities from this deeply personal and damaging crime and bring those responsible to justice.

“Recognising the language used by criminals is key and this is often identified by friends and family rather than the victim themselves. We hope this series of videos starts the conversation about Romance Fraud.”

This campaign is one part of the Met’s ongoing efforts to prevent and raise awareness of Romance Fraud, which includes intelligence sharing - both domestically and internationally - to trace suspects overseas, with an aim to repatriate funds and pursue investigations.

In its awareness campaigns, the Met informs the public of what Romance Fraud looks like, how to stay safe and where to get further support if needed. Work is also taking place with partners, such as banks, the tech sector, dating apps and social media sites to try to identify fraudulent activity as soon as possible.

Simon Newman, CEO, ODDA (Online Dating and Discovery Association) said:

"Romance Fraud is a particularly nasty crime that can have a devastating impact on victims.

“Helping users understand how fraudsters target them and the 'red flags' to look out for, gives users' greater confidence in being able to spot attempts to defraud them.

“That's why the ODDA fully supports the work the police are doing to raise awareness of this type of crime to ensure safe and enjoyable and online dating experiences for everyone."

Tony Neate, CEO at Get Safe Online said:

"Romance Fraud has become one of the most damaging forms of online crime, with losses climbing every year.

“Fraudsters use fake identities, stolen photos, and elaborate stories to manipulate people into sending money - and increasingly, they are using AI to make their scams even more convincing.

“This new campaign, launched by the Met Police, couldn't be more important.

“Showing the genuine emotional and financial impact these unscrupulous criminals inflict, and how they do it, is a powerful reminder that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

“Remember, this can happen to anyone, so if you are a victim report it so we can help prevent it happening to other before it's too late."

Superintendent Amanda Wolf, Head of the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau at the City of London Police, said:

“We’re proud to support the Metropolitan Police Service in sharing this powerful series of videos, which shine a light on the real and lasting impact of romance fraud.

“Hearing directly from victims is a vital step in raising awareness and helping others recognise the warning signs.

“Romance fraud remains one of the most emotionally damaging and financially costly fraud types we see, and these accounts are a compelling reminder of why prevention, education, and support must remain at the heart of the national response.”

World Romance Scam Prevention Day aims to drive awareness of Romance Fraud, and to highlight common tactics used by criminals to commit it. This includes setting up relationships in ways which don’t raise alarm to make subsequent requests for money seem legitimate, reasonable and justifiable. Criminals socially engineer victims to hand over money or personal information, as well as cutting off victims from support.

To report an incident, report to Action Fraud, by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting their website. You can also report it anonymously to Crimestoppers here and get support by visiting LoveSaid.

For all of the Met Police’s advice and information on dealing with Romance Fraud, please go here.

You can watch all the videos here.

Please follow this link for the full and edited versions of the films available for download.