Official warning
Online relationships are being used to build financial trust
Police say romance fraud reports rose sharply, with criminals increasingly using convincing profiles and messages.
How it works
The person builds a close relationship over time, avoids meeting or video calls, then introduces an emergency, travel cost or investment opportunity.
A message might say
“I want us to be together, but I need help with one urgent payment before I can travel to see you.”
Warning signs
- ●Strong feelings develop unusually quickly
- ●There are repeated excuses not to meet or video call
- ●Money, cryptocurrency, gift cards or an investment are introduced
What to do
- 1Do not send money to somebody you have not met in person
- 2Talk to a trusted friend or relative before making a payment
- 3Contact your bank quickly if you have already paid
Source: City of London Police. Ward has rewritten the warning in plain language.