WE ALL hope that Cupid’s arrow will find us, but police are warning that there has been a flurry of romance fraud across the region.
Officers want people to be careful when working out if Cupid really has struck, or if it’s a stupid Cupid wanting to steal from you.
In their guidance, Thames Valley Police say scammers use language to manipulate, persuade and exploit so that requests for money do not raise alarm bells. They gain people’s trust to convince them they are in a genuine relationship, often over time, before making emotive claims for cash.
They can tell victims they need money for emergency medical care, or to pay for transport costs to visit the victim if they are overseas.
Officers say that everyone should be suspicious of any requests for money from someone they have never met in person, particularly if they have only recently met online.
They recommend speaking to friends and family to get advice and to check to see if profile pictures used are genuine. It is worth researching them first.
Other tips for someone involved in an online relationship is to be wary about how much trust to give them if they have not been met.
This means not sending them money, allowing access to a bank account, transferring money on their behalf, or taking out a loan for them.
Police also warn against sharing copies of personal documents such as passports and driving licences, investing money on advice of the scammer, buying and sending codes on gift cards from online retailers such as Amazon or iTunes, or agreeing to receive and/or send parcels on their behalf for items such as laptops and mobile phones.
Thames Valley Police urges people who think they have been a victim of a romance scam to come forward. They say victims should not feel ashamed or embarrassed, as they are not alone.
Reports can be made to Action Fraud by calling: 0300 123 2040.
