Case Studies

Online dating fraud

by Mark Rowe

According to new figures from Get Safe Online and the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB), online dating fraud in the UK cost victims £27m last year. Between November 2014 and October 2015 almost 250 online dating related crimes in the south west alone were reported to the police over 12 months totalling almost £1.6m and the average loss standing at £6,900.

Almost two thirds (62pc) of all victims in the UK are aged between 40 and 69 accounting for £16m of the total losses. People aged between 50-59 are the most likely victims accounting for a quarter of all frauds and losing just over £6 million. Although those aged between 40-49 accounted for less of the reported fraud (22pc) over all losses were greater at £8m. Almost two thirds (64pc) of all romance scams originated on dating sites, followed by social media (25pc) and 10pc via email. Some 2pc of reported dating frauds originated via contact made on dating apps.

Tony Neate, CEO of Get Safe Online said: “Online dating can be a great way to meet that special someone. However, it doesn’t hurt to place a little more caution when using these sites to start talking to someone, just as you would if you met a stranger in a bar or at a party. What’s frustrating is that there are a minority of people who use online dating as a forum to target vulnerable people, knowing if they invest a lot of time into building a relationship with someone, they could potentially steal a lot of money. This is demonstrated by the huge amount lost to online dating-related crimes last year, with the average loss standing at a worrying £10,000.

“The financial loss is one thing, but it’s the emotional impact this sort of crime has which is severe. When someone places a lot of trust and faith in a person who they think they know, they often don’t separate their emotional feelings from rationale. Often when victims do start to suspect something isn’t quite right, they’re already in deep, so it’s extremely easy to ignore those little niggles of doubt and choose to trust someone – it’s this factor which online criminals exploit.

“It’s important to remember that it’s highly unlikely anyone legitimate would ask for any kind of financial assistance for whatever reason. Plus, if there are any immediate doubts, speak to a family member of friend to get a second, more objective opinion. If someone is keen to take contact off the dating site very quickly, this could be a sign that they have something to hide. By following these steps, we hope we can put a stop to this targeted and emotional form of online crime.”

Tell-tale signs your online date may be a fraudster:

They want to communicate with you through instant messaging and texts, rather than through the dating website or chat room where you met
They don’t answer basic questions about where they live and work
Their profile picture is too perfect – for example they look like an actor or Miss World titleholder
They start asking you to send them money using a number of different scenarios such as:
Claiming to be military personnel based overseas who require funds for flights home or early discharge from the forces
Citing medical related issues they need money for such as a sudden need for surgery, either for the fraudster or the fraudster’s family member
They’ve arranged to visit you but need money to pay travel costs

Get Safe Online recommends the following tips to make sure you’re safe online:

Trust your instincts – if you think something feels wrong, it probably is; and
Do not post personal information, such as phone numbers, on dating sites.

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