A guide to spotting romance fraudsters
Our Economic Crime Unit has developed a new romance fraud e-booklet in partnership with Dr Elisabeth Carter, Dr Elisabeth Carter, Associate Professor of Criminology and Forensic Linguist, Kingston University.
This booklet has been designed to demonstrate the clever tactics used by romance fraudsters with a view to empowering the knowledge of our communities.
It also dispels the myths of shame and embarrassment often associated with this crime by highlighting the link to coercive control.
We are working to ensure the romance fraud e-booklet fully meets all accessibility requirements.
What is a romance fraud?
Romance frauds happen when the victim thinks they’ve met the perfect partner through an online dating website or app, but the other person is using a fake profile to form a relationship with them. They’re using the site to gain the victim’s trust and ask them for money or enough personal information to steal their identity.
How does it happen?
Romance fraudsters are masters of manipulation and will go to great lengths to create a false reality in which an individual feels that they are making reasonable and rational decisions.
The challenge for many family and friends of romance fraud victims is being able to disrupt the false reality created to enable the victim to see the situation for what it really is - a fraud.
Find more advice about romance fraud.
View Dr Carter’s complete academic paper that inspired the booklet, the paper is free to access.
Have you been a victim of romance fraud?
If you think you have been a victim of a romance scam, you are not alone.
Being targeted with romance fraud can evoke many different feelings and emotions. Many people will feel ashamed and blame themselves which will frequently be a barrier to seeking further help and support. It is really important to remember that romance fraud is never the fault of the victim. The below support pack has been designed to help you navigate this journey by offering signposting towards further information and support.