Warning romance fraud is on the rise in Staffordshire
We're being reminded to to spot the signs and report concerns
Romance fraud is continuing to impact people across Staffordshire and the West Midlands, with experts warning that criminals are exploiting trust and emotion to steal money from victims.
Alan Edwards, Regional Manager for Crime Stoppers, says romance fraud occurs when someone pretends to form a romantic relationship with the intention of financial gain.
Offenders may act alone or as part of organised crime groups, often targeting vulnerable individuals and building trust before asking for money.
Alan Edwards said:
“They will declare love very quickly and try to build that emotional connection early on."
“Once trust is established, they’ll start asking for financial help — it could be to pay off a debt, cover medical costs, or buy a flight ticket to come and visit.”
Crime Stoppers receives between 10 and 20 calls a day across the West Midlands region, which covers four police forces.
It is estimated that two to three reports can relate to romance fraud. More broadly, fraud now accounts for around 40 per cent of all crime in some form.
During a recent campaign with the Midlands Fraud Forum, an organisation focused on preventing and tackling fraud, Crime Stoppers saw an increase in information from the public.
Edwards believes awareness is improving, but says many people still do not realise they can report fraud anonymously through the charity.
Common warning signs of romance fraud:
- Unexpected messages through social media or dating websites
- Rapid declarations of love
- Requests for money soon after contact is made
- Victims may also face pressure or aggressive behaviour if they refuse to send funds
Edwards advises anyone who feels unsure to pause and reflect:
“Take a step back and ask yourself: is this too good to be true?"
He encourages people to speak to trusted friends or family members for a second opinion, contact their bank before transferring money, and report concerns either to the police or Crime Stoppers.