Performing a reverse image search on a search engine can help to show whether a photo has been copied from elsewhere. Online daters should not send any money, allow the other person to access their bank account, transfer money or take out a loan on the other person’s behalf, hand over copies of personal documents such as their passport or driving licence, or invest money on the other person’s advice, those behind the awareness drive said.Īnd they should not receive or send parcels on the other person’s behalf, they added.įraudsters may also use fake profile photos.
UK Finance is encouraging dating app users to speak to their friends and family for advice, and follow the advice of the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign to stay safe from scams. Warning signs could include someone being very secretive about their relationship or giving excuses for why their online partner has not video called or met them in person. UK Finance is therefore urging people to look out for their friends and family this Valentine’s Day. The ODA found half (53%) of people it surveyed are having longer conversations on dating services during lockdown. The Online Dating Association (ODA) estimates more than 2.3 million people across Britain used dating apps during the initial coronavirus lockdown, with 64% of people surveyed seeing dating apps as a lifeline for those living alone.
They may claim that they need money urgently for medical care or transport costs to visit the victim. They use emotive language and sob stories to manipulate, persuade and exploit people. In these reports, victims have lost money via bank transfer, money transfer, sending fraudsters gift cards and vouchers or presents such as phones and laptops, and providing them with access to their bank account or card.įraudsters will go to great lengths to convince victims that they are in a genuine relationship.
The UK’s national fraud reporting centre Action Fraud has also seen an increase in romance scam reports in 2020, with total reported losses equating to more than £68m. Romance scammers can trick people out of their cash in many ways, not just by bank transfer. The total value of these scams increased by 12% annually to £18.5million between January and November 2020, with victims losing £7,850 on average. Trade association UK Finance recorded a 20% increase in bank transfer fraud linked to romance scams between January and November 2020, compared with a year earlier. Romance scams have increased as people have searched online for love during the coronavirus lockdowns, figures suggest.
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