Police are urging people to remain vigilant after a woman was conned out of more than £40,000 in a cruel romance scam.
The woman, from Enniskillen, is believed to have met the fraudster online, with conversations beginning on social media before developing into what she thought was a genuine relationship.
Over time, she was persuaded to transfer money, sometimes directly, and on other occasions by purchasing gift cards and sending on the codes.
Detective Inspector Harris described the case as a “prime example” of how manipulative and persuasive romance scammers can be.
“These scammers are highly skilled at emotional manipulation and at creating a fake romantic interest which their victim believes,” he said.
“They cruelly invest weeks or months in grooming their victims before asking for money, and this incident is a prime example of how persuasive these fraudsters can be, building an emotional connection with their victim only to take advantage. Sadly, many victims feel too embarrassed to come forward, which allows offenders to continue preying on others.”
Police say fraudsters often fabricate emergencies, such as medical bills or travel costs, to tug on heartstrings and build pressure. They promise repayment, but in reality their only goal is to take as much money as possible.
DI Harris urged those seeking companionship or love online to take steps to protect themselves:
– Keep communication on the dating site or app – many have safety features and remove fake accounts.
– Research the person’s online presence and check details such as name, location and family connections for inconsistencies.
– Use reverse image searches to confirm if profile pictures are genuine.
– Never send money to someone you have not met in person.
“It’s tempting to ignore doubts and see what we want to see being the promises of a relationship,” DI Harris added. “But if a relationship begins with a request for money, it’s not a relationship worth having.”
Anyone who believes they have been a victim of a scam should report it to police on 101, contact their bank immediately, and report online via www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
Further information and advice can also be found at nidirect.gov.uk/scamwiseni
or on the ScamwiseNI Facebook page @scamwiseni.
