Press statement

Which? comments on the news that romance scammers are shifting tactics towards bogus investment schemes

1 min read

Lisa Webb, Which? Consumer Law Expert, said:

"Criminals are always on the lookout for new ways to part people from their hard-earned cash and this is just one of the latest examples of how romance scammers are changing their tactics.

"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."

-ENDS-