Which? comments on romance fraud ahead of Valentine's Day

Lisa Webb, Which? Consumer Law Expert, said:

"Fraud is one of the most commonly committed crimes in the UK and it's hugely concerning that almost £100 million was reportedly lost to romance scammers last year. 

"It can be really hard to spot fraudsters when online dating. It's worth using a reverse image search tool, such as Google or Tineye, to see if the image has been posted anywhere else on the internet. You should also be suspicious of anyone who makes excuses to never meet in person or video call as this is often a tell-tale sign of a scammer. 

"If you think you have lost money to a romance scammer, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud or Police Scotland. Romance fraud can also take a huge toll on your mental health and you might find it helpful to talk to someone about what you're going through, such as Mind or Victim Support."

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