The PSNI are urging the public to be vigilant against romance scams, after receiving multiple reports over the past month from victims targeted by fraudsters posing as romantic partners.

These scams are predominantly conducted through online dating platforms, social media, and other messaging apps.

Victims are being emotionally manipulated over weeks or even months into believing they are in a genuine relationship with someone they have met online. Once the scammer establishes this false sense of trust, they fabricate urgent situations – such as a medical emergency for themselves or their family, unexpected travel expenses, or other personal crises – and then request money. Tragically, victims often comply with these requests.

In many cases, the impact on victims is profound, leaving them emotionally distressed and financially devastated. Many have lost their life savings, coupled with the "heart-breaking" realisation that the relationship they believed was real was, in fact, a cruel deception. Police noted that victims in Northern Ireland lost over £1 million to romance scams in 2024 alone, with some individual losses exceeding £100,000.

Authorities frequently warn the public about the dangers of romance scams, emphasising that these crimes can occur on any dating app or online platform. It is crucial to think carefully before sending any money.

Key Warning Signs of a Romance Scam:

• The individual avoids meeting in person or making video calls.

• They claim to be overseas or in a remote location.

• They quickly express strong emotions or love for you. • They ask for money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.

• They provide excuses or evasive answers to direct questions.

To help protect yourself, especially if you are actively engaged in online dating:

• Always keep communication on the dating website or app. These platforms often have in-built security features and actively work to remove and ban fake accounts.

• Conduct your own research. Check their social media presence to see if it matches what they've told you. Look for inconsistencies in details like name, location, and family members.

• Verify profile pictures. Use a reverse image search on various websites to check if the photo is legitimate or stolen from elsewhere online.

• Never, ever send money to someone you haven't met in person. A genuine relationship should never begin with requests for money, even for investments.

"If you're looking for friendship, companionship or love online it should never start with being asked for money even to invest, and if it does, it's not a relationship worth having. Always remember to stay on site, using reputable dating platforms. Be alert and keep yourself safe," police advise.

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