British authorities have reported that people in the U.K. lost more than US$113 million last year in so-called “romance scams” A perpetrator creates a fake identity, gains the victim’s affection and trust and then empties his or her bank account. Swindlers can find fertile ground for their scams on dating apps, sites, and social media platforms where individuals seek love and affection. This type of scam can often be a long-term project for the perpetrators as they spend time get get people to trust them.
Source: Written by Erika Di Benedetto, 2023-10-05; https://www.occrp.org/en/daily//en/daily/18096-romance-scams-broke-hearts-and-stole-millions-from-u-k-victims