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How To Protect Yourself And Your Loved Ones From Romance Fraud Romance Fraud Awareness: A guide for everyone, so please feel free to share widely. This advice is designed for wide circulation to help the public understand and prevent Romance Fraud. What is Romance Fraud? Romance fraud, also known as 'catfishing,' is a scam where criminals create fake online identities to gain a victim's trust and affection, pretending to be in a romantic relationship, with the sole goal of exploiting them for financial gain. Fake Personas: Fraudsters spend time building a believable but false identity online (on dating sites, apps, or social media like Facebook) to make you fall for them.Manipulation: They use persuasive and manipulative language to make you feel connected quickly. They often create elaborate, emotional stories to make their requests for money seem urgent and believable, while encouraging secrecy from you.Celebrity Scams: Some even pose as celebrities or well-known figures, often making contact through social media platforms. How to protect yourself and spot the signs 1. Never Send Money, Vouchers, or Crypto: Alarm Bells: If someone you have only met online, no matter how sad or urgent their story is, asks you for money—it is a major red flag.Keep Your Money Safe: Never send money, gift cards, vouchers, or cryptocurrency, or invest on their behalf.Report It: Report anyone who asks for money directly to the dating service or social media platform immediately.2. Get to Know the Person, Not the Profile: Take Your Time: Treat people you meet online as you would if meeting in person: ask questions and do not rush the relationship.Verify Identity: Check their profile pictures. Use a tool like Google Image Search or TinEye to see if their photos appear on other websites or are linked to different names—a common sign of a scammer.Stay Private: Be cautious about how much personal information you share early on. Keep your social media accounts secure and private.3. Talk to Friends and Family: Get a Second Opinion: If you are unsure about someone's request for money or their situation, talking to a trusted friend or family member can provide crucial perspective.Be Wary of Secrecy: Scammers often try to isolate their victims. Be very cautious if someone you have met online asks you not to tell anyone about them or your relationship. What to do if you have been a victim If you suspect you have been scammed or have sent money to a fraudster: Contact your Bank immediately. You can call the 159 hotline, which securely connects you to your bank's anti-fraud team.Report the crime to Action Fraud—the National Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting Centre: - Visit the Action Fraud website - Action Fraud
- Or call 0300 123 2040
Find More Information: For valuable resources on how to stay safe from all types of scams, visit the official government campaign: Stop! Think Fraud - How to stay safe from scams (Home Office) - Stop! Think Fraud - How to stay safe from scams | 
