Swipe left: Beware of romance fraud

Never mind the GAA Catfish drama, the scurge of fake personas can actually cost people dearly.

The nation was tickled by the recent GAA Catfish drama that played out on the Two Johnnies’ podcast. But fascinating as it was to see the lengths that a catfish would go to, fraudsters are using fake personas to fool unsuspecting victims into parting with their hard-earned cash.

Romance fraud is where a fraudster builds a fake persona and relationship with a victim to gain their trust and deceive them into sending money. Fraudsters set up a fake profile on social media channels or dating apps/websites to meet and then exploit their victims.

“The main message is never send money to somebody you’ve only chatted to online”

Bank of Ireland is advising people to swipe left on scammers and don’t let the heart rule the head when it comes to their savings.

Jars of hearts

Romance scams can last a long time as the fraudster gradually builds trust. Recent high profile cases including a Brad Pitt impersonation and the latest 2 Johnnies ‘GAA Catfish’ podcast episode have raised awareness of fake online profiles.

But the volume of cases tracked by Bank of Ireland has been consistent over time, and many incidents may go unreported due to victims feeling embarrassed or ashamed.

“Consumers need to swipe left on scammers and protect their savings from fraudsters on social media or dating apps,” warns Nicola Sadlier, Head of Fraud, Bank of Ireland.

“While the Brad Pitt impersonation scam made the headlines recently, celebrity romance fraud is only one of the tactics used by fraudsters. The main message is never send money to somebody you’ve only chatted to online.

“Real relationships take time to develop but scammers will declare their undying love quicker than you can say catfish. If a relationship is happening too fast online, and there is money involved, it’s probably fraud, so step away from the keyboard. Much of this type of fraud starts through social media platforms, so these companies need to play their part in shutting it down quickly.”

Don’t fall for it: How to avoid romance fraud

Romance fraudsters often:

  • Create fake profiles on social media or dating apps/websites.
  • Use elaborate stories, such as claiming to be overseas for work or in the military, to justify not meeting in person. They may pretend to have a glamorous but isolating job that makes it hard from them to answer your video calls or meet.
  • Send daily messages which can quickly turn to declaring love.
  • Request money under various fabricated stories, including for emergencies, medical expenses, travel costs, or investments. Fraudsters may seek to gain sympathy by fabricating a dying family member, illness or financial hardship. They invent urgent situations to pressurise their victim.

Celebrity romance fraud – common elements:

  • Generally conducted through social media.
  • Victim receives a message from someone impersonating a celebrity, with a request for secrecy as it can’t come out in the media.
  • Request for supporting funds as their assets are tied up due to legal proceedings, i.e. divorce.

How to protect yourself from romance fraud:

  • Be cautious with new online relationships. Take your time to get to know someone and verify their identity.
  • Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person.
  • Look for warning signs. Be wary of people who avoid video calls or meeting in person and who quickly express their love or ask for financial help.
  • Pay attention to inconsistencies in stories.
  • Remember – celebrities don’t tend to message fans for money!
  • If in doubt, don’t be afraid to chat with a trusted friend or family member.

What to do if you’ve been scammed:

  • Stop communication with the suspected scammer immediately.
  • Report it to your bank, an Garda Siochana and any relevant platforms, such as dating websites or social media platforms.

Main image at top: Photo by Eli Pluma on Unsplash

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