Romance Fraud: "Better To Break Up Than Be Left Broke"

There's been 31 cases of romance fraud between January and May of 2022.

Irish victims of romance fraud lost more than €800,000 in the first 5 months of this year.

Gardaí have compiled a list of warning signs that daters could be falling for a fraudster.

The advice is that it's "better to break up than to be left broke."

There's been 31 cases of romance fraud between January and May of this year - costing victims €812,000.

In one case a woman in Hungary was duped out of €3,800 by an account that was traced back to Ireland.

Almost all victims found their thieving partner online, and the majority of victims were women.

In almost every case, the stolen money was transferred to accounts outside Ireland or to bitcoin wallets

Detective Superintendent Michael Cryan says most fraudsters won't ask for money immediately:

Gardaí have issued the following advice to people on dating sites or in communication with people they have never met over social media:

• Use reputable dating sites and use their messaging service. Do not move to social media or texting too quickly. Be especially wary of unsolicited links or approaches or suggested likes.
• Be careful what you share on social media and online dating websites. Do not reveal your full name or home address. Protect your identity.
• Be wary of anyone asking lots of questions about you but not revealing much about themselves. They will come across as being the ideal person. They will like what you like. Their interests will mirror yours. These fraudsters are engaging with multiple victims at the same time, following scripts prepared for them and they can get mixed up on occasions as to which victim they are talking to.
• Never send money or give your bank details to somebody you have never met, no matter how much you believe and trust them. Do not download apps like AnyDesk at their behest or allow them control over your device
• Do not send them money or pay for medical bills, purchase flights, or VISAs, pay customs fees or make any payment for them to come to visit you.
• Do not invest your money in any 'opportunities' offered by them or anyone whom you only ‘met’ online. Always seek independent financial and legal advice first.
• Remember individuals can pretend to be anyone they want to be online. You can google an image to see if it comes up on several sites or profiles.
• Never provide copies of your personal documents such as passports or driving licences.
• Never make arrangements or travel to meet them unless you are sure of their identity. Make sure you confide in someone and ensure that the person is aware you are confiding in someone else. Save copies of correspondence with him.
• Don’t be embarrassed about reporting it to Gardaí, you are not alone. These are professional fraudsters who use social engineering tactics over protracted periods of time
• If you think you have fallen victim, contact your bank immediately, the quicker you act the better chance of recovering any lost funds.