Police are issuing a fresh warning to the public to be vigilant after a woman from Newtownards was swindled out of £15,000 in a romance scam reported this week.

The victim is understood to have met the fraudster online via a dating site, and an online relationship developed over several months. The scammer then convinced the woman to transfer money to him, which she did on three separate occasions.

Chief Inspector Hutchinson commented: "Sadly, this is another example of this type of crime happening right here, right now in Ards and North Down, where a real life victim has lost savings. Not only is there the stark realisation for the victim that she has been lied to by an individual she was building an online relationship with, but she is also having to deal with the financial fallout this incident has resulted in, which is truly heart-breaking."

He added that police frequently warn the public about the dangers of romance scams, which can occur at any time of year across various dating platforms. Fraudsters typically try to build a relationship quickly and move communication away from the original dating site or app. Chief Inspector Hutchinson explained common tactics: "The criminals use some common tactics, invent stories of deceased partners, single parents working away from family, pulling on the heart strings of the recipient. Soon enough they will present you with a great investment opportunity they have made money from or an emergency requiring a short term loan of money which they promise they will pay back. However, they do not intend to do so because they do not exist. All they wanted was your money and to get as much of it as possible."

Police recommend the following steps to help protect yourself if you are online dating:

• Always keep communication on the dating website or app you are using, as they often have security features and may ban fake accounts.

• Conduct your own research on the person you're speaking to, checking social media for inconsistencies in details like name, location, and family members.

• Use a reverse image search on various websites to check if profile pictures are legitimate.

• Never send money to someone you haven't met in person. If you are asked for money early in the interaction, especially for investment or an emergency, it is a significant red flag.

• Always remember to stay on site, using reputable dating platforms, and remain alert to protect yourself.

If you believe you have been a victim of a scam, report it to police on 101, contact your bank immediately, and report online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. Information and advice is also available at www.nidirect.gov.uk/scamwiseni or on the ScamwiseNI Facebook page @scamwiseni.