Valentine’s Day romance fraud warning after Peterborough and Cambridgeshire victims lose £500k

In Cambridgeshire and Peterborough last year there were 86 reports of romance fraud, with total losses to victims of £558,026.

Romance fraud is where fraudsters target victims, often through online dating sites or social media, to form a relationship. They will use the site to gain their victim’s trust and ask them for money or enough personal information to steal their identity.

The vast majority of people using dating sites are sincere and honest in the information they provide and in their reasons for joining, however, there are exceptions, and police are warning residents to be aware of how to keep themselves, their bank accounts and savings protected while meeting people online.

Crime reduction officers will be going live on the force’s Facebook page at 10.30am on Friday to give information about romance fraud and how to spot the signs.

They will be joined by three Cambridgeshire victims of romance fraud who will share their stories with the public, as well as the CEO of Get Safe Online, Tony Neate.

Cambridgeshire police crime reduction officer Helen O’Driscoll said: “Nationally, last year more than £68 million was lost to romance fraud in the UK.

“Romance fraud not only has the potential for victims to lose vast amounts of money, but the emotional impact can be even more difficult to come to terms with. We know this is a massively under-reported crime for a number of reasons, which is why we are trying to raise awareness of the issue.”

To learn more about this type of scam tune into the Cambridgeshire Constabulary Facebook page at 10.30am tomorrow.

Peterborough and Cambridgeshire romance fraud in 2019

. Largest single victim loss was £139,000

. 61 per cent of victims were female

. Average age of female victims was 50

. Average age of male victims was 44

. Youngest victim was 18

. Oldest victim was 76.