Romance fraud on the rise and breaking hearts as officers continue to provide prevention advice

Is that person you are speaking to online really who they say they are?

This Valentine’s Day, staff and volunteers in the Economic Crime Unit have been out and about hosting crime prevention stalls to prevent people becoming a victim of fraud.

With a special emphasis on romance fraud, the volunteers and staff spoke to the public about how they can keep themselves, their family, and their money safe from fraudsters.

The officers in the unit put a real emphasis on not only preventing the crimes before they happen but also robust support for victims once a fraud has happened.

As online dating and the ability to chat to people online makes it easier for fraudsters to target people, police are working hard to spread crime prevention advice to members of the public and since November 2022, GMP’s Fraud and Economic Crime Awareness Service has been working in collaboration with the City of London Police to reduce Romance Fraud in the region and data has been produced and analysed in six hotspot areas for romance fraud in Greater Manchester.

This pilot initiative utilised in GMP in 2022, has really seen us be able to target romance fraudsters effectively and help us reach as many victims as possible by really drilling into the socioeconomic data of the top six romance fraud hotspot areas in Greater Manchester. Officers and staff in the unit would then look at victims’ employment, education, income, marital status, daily activities and tailor their crime prevention advice around this.

In the first six months of the pilot initiative, there has been a dramatic reduction in the money lost to romance fraud victims in the hotspot areas, with the lowest decrease recorded as 89% in one month. The pilot initiative has been recognised nationally as best practice and officers are hoping to roll this out to other areas of fraud.

Victims of romance fraud often find it hard to speak to people about their experiences, out of feelings of guilt or shame as the financial losses can be thousands of pounds which can make reporting this type of crime low and repeat victimisation high.

Criminals use fake online profiles to form relationships with victims and make it seem like they have found their knight in shining armour.

Detective Sergeant Stacey Shannon, of GMP’s Economic Crime Unit, said: “I want to stress the importance of people reporting romance fraud. Whether it be to us through our online LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk or through action fraud.

"The effects that romance fraud can have on its victims should not be underestimated, not only is there often significant financial loss, loss of self-worth, loss of confidence, loss of trust and declines in mental health are all very real with this type of crime.

"It’s a common misconception that criminals just ask for money, but payments can also be made in the form of loans or investments to be made on the victim’s behalf or through high value gift cards.

“Fraudsters pray on vulnerable individuals who have often gone through a traumatic experience such as recently bereaved, they manipulate their victims for months. 

“And no matter how long you have been speaking to someone online, never send them any money, no matter the amount of pressure they put on you. They may use ‘legitimate’ reasons for example a family member needs an urgent operation and money needed to be sent across quickly.

“We would of course encourage anyone who believes they may have been a victim or knows someone who may be a victim to reach out to us and report it. There is an unjustified stigma and an embarrassment attached to becoming a victim but these offences, tragically, more common than people realise so I would encourage you to reach out so we can get you the support that you need so law enforcement can catch those responsible and ensure that other people do not become victims."

Report fraud through Action Fraud online or by contacting the Action Fraud team on 0300 123 2040.