Northern Ireland

Police warning over Valentine’s Day 'romance scams'

Police have warned people looking for love online to be on the alert for romance scams. Picture by PA Wire
Police have warned people looking for love online to be on the alert for romance scams. Picture by PA Wire Police have warned people looking for love online to be on the alert for romance scams. Picture by PA Wire

POLICE have warned people looking for love online this Valentine’s Day not to get caught out by "romance scams".

It comes after two women from counties Antrim and Down lost almost £105,000 after they were both duped by two men claiming to have links to the USA.

There were 39 reports relating to dating scams in Northern Ireland between January and September last year with more than £218,000 scammed from people.

The latest two "scams of the heart" have been highlighted by police as they issued a warning about dating scams ahead of Valentine's Day on Thursday.

"In both of the cases reported to us in the last fortnight, both women were tricked by fraudsters they had been befriended by two men online who duped them into sending substantial amounts of money," said PSNI Chief Superintendent Simon Walls.

"The first report, made to us on Monday 4 February, involved a woman who had been befriended by a man online claiming to be in the US Army.

Read More: Police urge people to be vigilant after thousands of pounds lost in online scams

"The pair were in touch for around a month before things took a romantic turn.

"From May last year, the man told the woman a number of stories, including that he was being detained by authorities in Africa, in a bid to get her to give him money.

PSNI Chief Superintendent Simon Walls
PSNI Chief Superintendent Simon Walls PSNI Chief Superintendent Simon Walls

"The woman believed the man's stories and was conned into sending him £65,000. She truly believed this man was genuine as she had found a profile online that matched his details."

Mr Walls said the second report involved a woman in north Down, who had entered into an online relationship with a man claiming to live in the USA where he worked as an engineer.

"They had been in touch since November and the man eventually asked the woman for money for projects," he said.

"She trusted the man and believed his story, and sent him payments totalling £40,000.

"Sadly, for these two women they will not get their money back as they gave it to the fraudsters voluntarily.

"These reports illustrate how scammers don’t care about their victims; that they’re happy to take advantage of people’s vulnerability and good faith."

Mr Walls added: "Protect yourself if you want to use the internet in search of love or companionship".