Gardaí warn of 'romance fraud' as some people scammed out of €500,000

ireland
Gardaí Warn Of 'Romance Fraud' As Some People Scammed Out Of €500,000
File photo dated 06/08/13 of a woman using a laptop computer. The enormous volume of digital data involved in criminal cases could overwhelm police tech units, a report has found.
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Digital Desk Staff

Gardaí say some victims of “romance fraud” are being scammed out of more than €500,000

It is where fraudsters use fake profiles on social media or dating sites to lure victims into a relationship.

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There were over 200 cases reported to Gardai last year - with the elderly and people with learning difficulties among those targeted.

The average amount lost is more than €20,000 - but Detective Chief Superintendent Pat Lordan says some victims are losing much more: “In 2020 the highest amount we saw was in excess of €20,000 and that was lost over a long period of time and will more than likely not be recovered.

“This year we have already seen through an investigation that a victim had lost over €500,000.”

He said another sum of €500,000 was about to be sent, but they stopped it before the person could.

The gardaí said some of the warning signs to look out for include:

  • The fraudster asking the victim to communicate by instant messaging, text or phone calls rather than messaging through the dating website.
  • The fraudster will start asking for money for various reasons, starting with low amounts.
  • To pay for travel to meet the victim.
  • To pay moving expenses (ship furniture and pay customs).
  • To pay medical expenses for a sick child or relative.
  • To invest in a guaranteed business opportunity.
  • To pay a tax bill or other spurious reason.

Gardaí said in one recent case an Irish victim developed a relationship with a female from the United States of America on a dating website.

Over a period of months, for spurious reasons she asked him for money and in total the victim suffered a loss of over €21,000 (over five separate transactions).

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