As Valentine’s Day draws near, the season of love brings both excitement and a reminder to stay cautious. Romance scams, a growing form of online fraud, can prey on vulnerable hearts, using emotional manipulation to steal money and personal information.

What Are Romance Scams?

Romance scams involve a fraudster who creates a fake online persona, often on dating sites or social media, to form a romantic relationship. After gaining the victim’s trust, the scammer may employ one of a number of tactics to take advantage of the victim’s emotion connection for their financial benefit.

Common scams include:

• ‘Legitimate’ emergencies – The scammer will fabricate an emergency, often a medical crisis. The ‘urgency’ of the situation often gives the victim little time to consider their actions.
• Indirect requests for money – Here the scammer will present the victim with circumstances that makes the victim feel they should offer money, without being explicitly asked for it for example, ‘I have been so sick and I have not been able to work, I don’t know how I will pay the bills. What if the landlord kicks me out?’
• Disguising requests for money – Often, these are disguised as an effort to progress the relationship for example, suggesting ‘joint’ investments arranged by the scammer.

Things To Watch Out For

• Excessive affection early on: Scammers often rush to declare love or deep affection, even after only a short time.
• Requests for money: If someone you’ve never met in person asks for money, especially for emergencies, it’s a big red flag.
• Vague or inconsistent stories: Scammers often avoid providing clear answers and may offer excuses for not meeting in person.
• Urgency or pressure: Scammers pressure victims to send money quickly, often with emotional appeals.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Avoid sharing personal information
2. Be cautious with “too good to be true” stories. If something feels off, trust your instincts
3. Consult with loved ones. Ask friends or family for their perspective
4. Report suspicious activity. If you suspect you’re being targeted, report it to the platform or Action Fraud immediately.

Conclusion

Valentine’s Day is a time for love and connection, but it’s important to stay cautious of scammers who prey on people’s emotions. Of course, not everyone is out to get you and we hope you can enjoy Valentines Day as it was intended!

For more information please see Action Fraud’s guide on ‘Staying Safe from Romance Fraud’. You can also call our legal advice helpline for assistance with any queries you may have.