Befriending/Romance Fraud

Victims are being impacted financially, emotionally, and psychologically. Befriending fraud can happen to anybody. All Genders, Ages, Sexual orientations, people of all Cultural and Ethnic backgrounds are victims. 

Just as with meeting someone offline, it’s important to keep in mind that not everyone is genuine. Don’t be afraid to challenge or check details given by another person. 

Meeting people online, on social networks, through online gaming, dating platforms, chatting on platforms like WhatsApp is increasing.  People are building relationships with people they’ve never met in person.  Fraudsters are taking advantage of this and use fake profiles and other people’s images, fabricate stories, manipulate,  isolate victims from their family & friends and distort their victim’s perception of reality.  

The Fraudsters intention is befriending innocent people with the eventual aim of convincing the victim to send them money or persuade the victim to pay into fake investments. Please do not send money to anyone you have not met.

If you have been affected or know anyone who is a victim of Befriending / Romance Fraud, support is available.

Reporting and Support

If you have been a victim and lost money, call 101 and report it to Humberside Police.

Visit fraudwatch.org.uk for more information about fraud and where to get support.

You can also sign up to receive future alerts at alerts.fraudwatch.org.uk.

You can view the full alert on the FraudWatch website, you can also download additional information and watch a video from the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign. 

View the Full Alert Here: https://www.fraudwatch.org.uk/2024/11/26/trigger-fraud-alert-21-november-2024/. 

Fraud can happen to anyone, and although you may not be personally affected at the moment, many people often do not want to share that they have been a victim due to embarrassment, shame, or due to a number of other reasons. Please share this alert with your friends, family and wider networks to help keep them safe too.