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Santander UK has issued a warning after almost £4m was reported stolen from the bank's customers through romance scams over the past six months.
Romance scammers will fabricate all kinds of fictitious stories, promises, and crises designed to get their victims to send them money.
The bank revealed that the victims were between 18 and 93 years old, highlighting that scammers target adults of all ages.
In total, £3,813,410 was lost to romance scams between March and August this year, a 27% increase compared to the previous half year, and the average loss per Santander UK customer was around £4,500 .
But what early warning signs should we be on the lookout for to avoid falling into this deception?
Too much, too soon
If someone tells you they love you after a few days of chatting online, it may be too good to be true.
“If someone expresses intense feelings very quickly or starts talking about love or a future together before you even meet in person, be careful,” advises Simon Newman, CEO of the Online Dating and Discovery Association and an advisory board member of International Cyber. Expo. . “Scammers often use emotional manipulation to speed up the relationship.”
Avoid face-to-face meetings
Scammers typically avoid face-to-face meetings to maintain their deception and maintain communication.
“Scammers often make excuses for why they can't meet in person or via video chat,” Newman warns. “If they repeatedly avoid plans to meet, this could be a red flag.”
Strange or vague history
Scammers often cultivate long-distance relationships to protect their identity.
“Be wary of people who have unusual or suspicious stories, such as claiming to be a military officer stationed overseas, a contractor working in a remote area, or someone who travels constantly on business,” Newman says.
Financial Aid Application
Requests for money are a major red flag.
“Scammers may claim to have a financial emergency, such as a sick family member, a sudden job loss, or a business crisis, and ask for help,” Newman explains. “Never send money to someone you've met online, especially via wire transfer or gift cards, which are difficult to trace.”
suspicious images
It's normal to want to trust someone you're meeting, but remember to verify their identity.
“Use reverse image searches on your profile photos to see if they appear elsewhere online, especially on scammer warning websites,” advises Newman. “Be wary of anyone who has limited or no digital footprint beyond the dating site.”
