Thames Valley Police urging people to look for warning signs of romance fraud
Romance fraud cost victims across the UK over £106 million last year
Thames Valley Police (TVP) is stepping up its campaign to warn people about romance fraud, a crime that cost victims across the UK over £106 million last year.
Today (October 3rd) is World Romance Scam Prevention Day which highlights the importance of supporting and not shaming those targeted.
Detective Inspector Duncan Wynn, Head of Thames Valley Police’s Central Fraud Unit said: “Shame is the ‘master emotion’ which can prevent victims from feeling able to report and confide in their support networks.
“Romance fraudsters employ manipulative tactics and contrary to widely held belief, asking for money is not the first request made of the victim.
“Mentioning money early in the communication normalises talking about it to make later requests seem legitimate and reasonable.
“Fraudsters will also use emotionally fuelled responses such as being in distress, to prompt the victim to act quickly without having time think it through or seek advice.
“Isolation is also a key tactic as fraudsters will cut victims off from sources of emotional support which get framed as ‘romantic’ and later serves as a platform to gain control over the victim.”
Thames Valley Police was also part of the launch of Series 2 of the BBC Sounds podcast Love Bombed: Who is Alex? which explores the devastating emotional and financial impact of romance fraud.
Hosted by Vicky Pattison, the story of Sarah, a romance fraud survivor who was manipulated into a relationship with a man she knew as “Alex” from an online dating website – a digital persona created by a scammer operating from overseas.
The podcast reveals how Sarah was emotionally groomed, isolated from her support network, and defrauded out of thousands of pounds.
DI Duncan Wynn added: “Romance fraud is not just a financial crime; it is a deeply personal betrayal. Offenders use manipulative tactics to isolate victims and gain their trust. We urge everyone to stay vigilant and look out for signs of coercive behaviour, especially when meeting people online.
“These frauds are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with criminals using stolen identities, fake profiles, and psychological manipulation to target people of all ages. The emotional impact can be devastating, leaving victims feeling ashamed, isolated, and unsure of where to turn.
That is why we are urging everyone to stay vigilant online, talk to someone if something does not feel right, and never send money to someone you have not met in person. If you think you or someone you know may be a victim, please report it — help is available, and you are not alone.”
Advice from TVP to stay safe online:
• Never send money to someone you have not met in person.
• Be cautious of being asked to move contact off the initial meeting platform as they want access to you 24/7
• Be cautious of intense declarations of love early in a relationship.
• Be cautious of late night/early hours communication which is intended to harm your decision-making processes by making you sleep deprived.
• Use reverse image searches to check if profile photos appear elsewhere online.
• Talk to friends or family if something feels off – isolation is a key tactic used by fraudsters.
For more information on how to spot romance fraud and access support, visit:
Report fraud via Action Fraud: 0300 123 0240 or actionfraud.police.uk
Call 101 or report online to the police