As more people turn to online platforms for romance, police are warning about the rise of romance fraud in the UK.

A warning shared by police from Crimestoppers is calling for people to be more aware of the risks and dangers posed by the crime.

Scammers create fake profiles on dating sites, social media platforms, and other online forums, with the intention of building a relationship with someone and eventually asking for money.

While the majority of users are genuine, it only takes a small number of fraudsters to cause significant financial and emotional damage.

In 2021, over £99 million was collectively lost to romance fraud, with the average person losing £10,000 over the course of the scam.

Romance fraud can happen to anyone, regardless of their gender, age, sexual orientation, or cultural background.

The Argus:

Gay men are disproportionately targeted, accounting for 12.4% of victims overall in 2021.

Fraudsters use language to manipulate their victims and distort their perception of reality, often in a similar way to grooming, domestic abuse, and coercive control.

Victims can find it difficult to recognise what is happening, denying the reality of the fake relationship.

Romance fraud can have serious impacts on victims' lives, both financially and emotionally.

They can become isolated from friends and family, rely on their perpetrator for human connection, and experience severe anxiety as a result of the fraud.

Fraudsters who engage in romance scams could be individuals acting alone, or part of an organised crime group operating internationally.

They create fake profiles with stolen images and carefully tailored messages to appeal to potential victims, building a convincing story over several months or years.

They may even use fake documents to support their story and hide behind complex networks of money mules and crypto currency investment.

Romance fraud is underreported, but incidents are increasing each year.

In 2021, there was a 30 per cent rise in reports compared to 2020, which itself saw a 20 per cent increase from 2019.

Police urge anyone who suspects they may be a victim of romance fraud to seek help and support.

They also recommend being cautious when interacting with people online, particularly if they ask for money or personal information.