By Vicky Shaw
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Reports of romance scams have soared during the coronavirus pandemic, according to Which?
The consumer group’s analysis of Action Fraud data found romance fraud reports were up by 40% in the year to April 2021, compared with the previous year, with more than 7,500 reported scams.
Reported losses reached £73.9 million during the period – but the true figure is likely to be much higher as many victims are too embarrassed or upset to tell the authorities.
Warning signs of an online dating scam include people making excuses for why they cannot meet up in person, making over-the-top declarations of love when they hardly know the person they are communicating with, and inventing a sob story for why they urgently need money.
Man loses nearly £4,000 in Twitter romance scam as figures for online dating fraud increase
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Romance fraud reports soar by 40% during coronavirus pandemic, says Which?
pressandjournal.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from pressandjournal.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Romance fraud reports soar by 40% during pandemic, says Which?
There have been more than 7,500 reports in the last 12 months but the consumer watchdog says the real figure of romance scams may be much higher
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