Gardaí Urge Vigilance Amid 'Romance Scams'

Gardaí have issued an appeal to members of the public amid a spate of online romance scams.

Recent victims have been targeted by fraudsters, who they believe may actually be their "perfect match", and engaged in multiple conversations which led to a relationship.

One Irish woman was showered with expensive gifts, including scarves and perfumes, before she was asked to invest in her suitor's business. Over a 13 month period, the woman gave the romance fraudster €48,000 and delayed reporting the activity to Gardaí as she was married.

In many cases, the extent of the scam is not fully known because victims are too embarrassed to report the fraud.

Detective Inspector Catharina Gunne from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau warned that romance fraudsters may try to get their victims to send money using the following excuses:

• To cover the cost of travelling to see the victim.

• For emergency medical expenses for the scammer or a family member- typically a child.

• A business opportunity which would allow them to live together comfortably.

DI Gunne continued: "In the beginning, the amount of money requested will often be small but increases as the scammer becomes more successful in building the 'relationship' and tricking the victim. Recently, a romance fraudster in the west of Ireland was found guilty of taking nearly €19,000 from a victim. The perpetrator obtained money through deception over a five month period after meeting the victim through a dating website.

"An Garda Síochána works closely with Europol to disrupt the activities of romance scammers, particularly organised crime gangs that engage in this type of criminality. Dating websites are often monitored for criminality."

Behaviours which may indicate romance fraud attempts include:

• Trying to move communications away from dating websites. Fraudsters may suggest that you move to instant messaging, text or phone calls instead.

• Asking a lot of personal questions.

• Avoid answering personal questions about themselves. The details that they do tell you seem made up or do not reflect reality. For instance, they may say that they're university educated, but their spelling and grammar is poor.

• Attempts to establish a bond quickly. For example, they may give you an endearing pet name e.g. baby, darling, etc.

• Requests for financial help. They may tell you about money problems in the hope that you'll offer to help.

• Never meeting each other in person. Scammers will present obstacles and may go as far as making arrangements and cancelling them at the last minute. They may promise to want to see you but offer excuses which delay this, such as financial troubles.

Anyone wishing to use online dating websites, or who believes they may be vulnerable to fraudulent online activity, is advised to only use trusted websites and never share personal details. Instincts should always be trusted and no money should be exchanged.



(JG/MH)