West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster is urging people across the region to stay vigilant this Valentine’s Day as criminals look to exploit people looking for love online.
Romance fraud continues to cause significant emotional and financial harm, with scammers using dating websites, social media platforms and messaging apps to build fake relationships before persuading victims to send money or share personal information.
Common tactics used by romance fraudsters include pretending to be working overseas or serving in the military, claiming a sudden emergency such as medical bills or travel problems, or encouraging victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency or trading schemes. In many cases, scammers avoid meeting in person and move conversations off legitimate platforms to private messaging apps as quickly as possible.
Victims are often targeted over weeks or months, with fraudsters carefully building trust and emotional dependence before making financial requests.
Simon Foster, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Romance fraud is a cruel crime that preys on people’s emotions, trust and loneliness. At what should be a happy time of year, criminals are deliberately targeting people who are simply looking for companionship or love.
“If someone you’ve met online asks for money, gifts, cryptocurrency, or financial details, no matter how convincing their story sounds, it should immediately raise alarm bells. Fraudsters are highly manipulative and will say whatever they think is necessary to gain your trust.
“I urge everyone to take a moment to stop, think and protect themselves. Talk to family or friends if you’re unsure, and report concerns straight away. By staying alert and speaking up, we can prevent people from becoming victims of romance fraud.”
Residents are advised to protect themselves by never sending money or financial details to someone they haven’t met in person, being cautious of profiles that seem too good to be true, and carrying out reverse image searches on profile photos. Anyone who believes they may be a victim of romance fraud should report it to Report Fraud as soon as possible.
Support is also available for victims through local victim services, offering confidential emotional and practical help. You can find more by visiting the PCC’s No Excuse for Abuse website.
For more advice on staying safe online and recognising the signs of fraud, visit the Report Fraud website or speak to your local police team.
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