Protect yourself from romance fraud this Valentine’s with advice from Norfolk Police

Norfolk residents are being urged to stay vigilant to online romance fraud scams this Valentine’s weekend.

The county’s police force is highlighting the issues surrounding the scams and raising awareness about how to prevent them.

Officers say that victims are often targeted online and made to believe that they are in a genuine relationship before their new ‘partner’ will make highly emotive requests for funds for fraudulent scenarios such as emergency medical care, travelling costs and financial help for bills or daily living.

Norfolk Police is offering the following advice to the county’s residents.

Fraudsters will build a relationship over time, using persuasive language to manipulate and exploit their victims.

It may be difficult to differentiate between a genuine relationship and a romance fraud scam.

You can keep yourself safe by being suspicious of any requests for money from someone you have never met or have connected with online.

Make sure you speak to family and friends and ask for their advice - an outside perspective may help provide clarity.

You can also do some research on someone’s online profile by using reverse image searches on profile pictures to see if they have been taken from elsewhere on the internet.

A spokesperson said that, no matter how long you’ve been speaking to someone online and how much you think you trust them, if you have not met them in person, it’s important that you do not:

- Send them any money

- Allow them access to your bank account

- Transfer money on their behalf

- Take a loan out for them

- Provide copies of your own personal documents such as passports or driving licences

- Invest your own money on their behalf or on their advice

- Purchase and send the codes on gift cards from Amazon or iTunes

- Agree to receive and/or send parcels on their behalf (laptops, mobile phones etc.)

You can find more information and support in Action Fraud’s romance fraud guide.

“If you or a friend or family member feels they may have been a victim of romance fraud, you are not alone, please do not feel ashamed or embarrassed,” the spokesperson added.

In these circumstances, you should contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud.

You can do this by calling 0300 123 2040 or via the Action Fraud website.

Reporting by Cara Fiore