South Yorkshire Police share advice to help people avoid 'romance fraud' on Valentine's Day
Police have shared advice on Valentine’s Day to help people avoid what they describe as ‘romance fraud’.
The information has been shared after a reported rise in this type of fraud, where criminals lie to build a false relationship so that they can steal money.
Officers have warned that in these circumstances, people may attempt to start a relationship in a normal way however then invent situations where individuals feel the need to send over money.
Many also use manipulative tactics in an attempt to distance their target from friends or family, including by asking for the relationship to remain secret.
Police have warned people to keep an eye out for suspicious activity, including people sending over information that can’t be verified or finding excuses to not meet in person.
Images can be stolen or generated through AI to create the image of a real person, with officers advising using tools like reverse image search on Google to identify where pictures came from.
They have also warned about how criminals may attempt to move conversations from dating websites to encrypted messaging platforms like Whatsapp.
A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “Romance fraud is on the rise and this Valentine's Day, we're sharing advice so you don't fall foul of romance fraud.
“Scammers will often try many tactics. Romance fraudsters create fake profiles and catfish their victims with stolen images. They convince people to part with personal info and often, money.
“If you suspect fraud or have sent money to someone you’re now suspicious of, call 159 to speak to your bank. This is a national hotline which most banks have signed up to.”
More information can be found on the police’s website here.
Victims of romance fraud can report it directly to the police online here, or alternatively those wishing to stay anonymous can do so through the independent charity Crimestoppers either online or by calling 0800 555 111.