Romance Scams UK – How Online Fraudsters Steal Millions
When you connect with someone online, especially on a dating website or social
media application. Shortly, they want to call, email, or message you off the platform.
However, romance scams UK cases are rising, with scammers using emotional manipulation to deceive victims into sending money. Mostly they say they want true love and they live far away because of work or because they are in the military. Then they start requesting money. Maybe ask for
a plane ticket to visit you or an emergency surgery. Or another urgent need.
How Romance Scams UK Operate
Romance scammers set up fake profiles on dating sites and apps or contact you
through popular social media websites such as Facebook or Instagram. The
fraudster initiates a relationship with you to gain your trust, sometimes
communicating several times daily. Later, they make a story and start requesting
money.
Reports depicted that 547 million USD was stolen from people due to romance
scams in 2021. Marking an increase of 80% compared to the previous year (2020),
according to the FTC, that year, gift cards were the most used payment
method.
Common lies told by romance scammers
Romance scammers modify their stories to fit different situations. Here are some of the most common lies used in romance scams UK cases:
● Scammers often give excuses that they can’t meet you face-to-face.
saying they live abroad work with foreign companies or serve in the
military.
● Scammers often ask for money after gaining your trust. They may share
fabricated stories, claiming their mother is hospitalized or a family member
needs urgent surgery. Sometimes, they’ll request money for travel expenses,
such as tickets to visit you or visa fees. They might also say they need help
paying fees to get out of legal trouble. Additionally, some scammers introduce
cryptocurrency, encouraging you to invest in crypto coins.
● Scammers will suggest specific payment methods to steal your money quickly
and make recovering difficult. Not only romance scammers but all types of
Scammers prefer payment options that are hard to trace or refund. They may
ask you to send money through services like MoneyGram or Western Union,
load money onto gift cards such as Amazon, Steam, iTunes, or Google Play
Share the PIN codes, use money transfer apps, or transfer
cryptocurrency.
Scammers often pressure you to send money instantly. If you experience such a
situation, it’s probably a scam.
How to save yourself from losing money to a romance fraudster
● End all communication with the person right away
● Try talking with someone who you trust. Ask them if they are worried
about your new romantic partner.
● Must check online the job they describe they do and add scammer after
it. Such as “US army scammer” or “oil rig scammer.”.
● Try a reverse image search on the person’s profile picture. It could be a sign of a scam if it appears under a different name or with mismatched details.
Ways to Report a Romance Scam
In case you paid a romance scammer using gift cards, credit or debit cards, or
cryptocurrency, wire transfer, then you must contact the organization or your
bank immediately explain the entire situation and ask for a refund.
If you get the intuition that you got scammed, report it to local law enforcement
or global organizations such as Cyber Crime Portal or Europol. Don’t forget to
alert the social networking site or app as well.
Final Thoughts
Romance scams UK cases are increasing, with fraudsters preying on trust and emotions. If someone you meet online starts requesting money, stay cautious and act fast. By staying informed and spreading awareness, we can help prevent these scams and protect innocent victims from financial and emotional devastation.
Stay safe, and always verify before you trust!
Written By – Duncan Paul Glasgow