Online romance scams surge near Valentine’s Day. Learn how to spot fake profiles & avoid losing money to deceptive criminals.
Nationwide warns daters to be careful. Research shows many see fake profiles. Twenty-seven percent were contacted by imposters. If it seems too good, it might be.
One conman stole over £300,000. He met women at fancy places. He pretended to be wealthy. He created fake emergencies for cash. He was jailed for seven years.
Another scammer posed as a soldier. He befriended a woman online. He claimed he needed money. She almost sent him £4,000. Luckily, she realized it was a trick.
A gang targeted lonely women online. They pretended to be rich. They asked for money for various reasons. The scammers received prison sentences.
Nationwide gives tips to avoid scams. Be wary of overly flattering profiles. Watch for quick, intense affection. Use reverse image search to check photos. Don’t send money to people you haven’t met. Report suspicious activity to the platform.