Skip to Content

Dating Scams.

Today ten people will report an on line dating crime, on average the victim of such a crime will have handed over £10,000, that's in excess of £3 million per month, every month.

National Fraud Prevention and British law enforcement struggle to take action against the fraudsters as they normally operate outside the UK and are very good at hiding.

The true extent of the losses could be significantly higher, as many victims do not want to come forward because of what they have done.

It's important to understand the complexity of the crime; it's not stupid people falling for the scams.

A typical scam will start with a false profile being created on a dating web site, the profile will be designed to target previously identified individual personality traits to create a match. The criminals will look at the lifestyle, age background and wealth of a potential target. Rule number 1 - think twice about the information you are posting, make sure it's not too much.

Once a match has been identified the grooming process will begin, first on the dating website then the criminal will move the conversation away from the web sites moderators and on to an instant messenger platforms. Rule number 2 don't move the conversation away from the dating web site, abnormal activity is checked on many dating web sites.

The first request for money- many of the criminals profiles will be of wealthy individuals working abroad, making it hard to meet up, when the criminal is ready they will ask the victim for an amount of money because of unforeseen circumstances - they have a medical bill, transport problem, wages issue it could be anything always urgent and to the victim, very plausible.

Rule number 3 - never, ever send money to anyone you have never met.
There are instances where the victim will meet up with the criminals associates in more complex crimes, probate cases, money held in stocks and shares, all will have a common thread which is that the criminal will ask for money to help complete the transition, no doubt with a promise of a life together once it is all over.

The scams can be complex, generally not to start with, they want to see if you have money first and are willing to part with it.

Whilst the police will investigate, it's very rare to get any of the funds returned.


Visit 'Get Safe Online' for information about protection.
Or to report a crime call 0300 123 2040

Dating Scams.
Image Description
related news
recent articles
Double Jeopardy Law

What is Double Jeopardy? and is it still Law in the UK?..

link

Points on your Driving License

Points on your Driving License - What happens when you receive points on your Driving Licence, How long do they stay, how many points until you are banned from..

New Guidelines for online hate crimes.

New guidelines have been issued to crack down on online hate...

Cautions, warnings and penalty notices.

Police cautions and warnings are the same and can be issued to anyone over the age of ten for minor offences, whilst this does not count as a conviction it can..

What is a Section 60 notice?

Over 2000 section 60 notices have been issued in London last year..

link

Bail

What is Bail in the UK - If you have been charged with a crime you can be released on bail from the police station, which means you will be able to go home but..

Computer & IT Law

Computer and IT Law.
Computer Law is concerned with controlling and securing information stored on and transmitted between computers. Computer networks contain..

Reporting a Crime.

If the crime is ongoing call 999, you should not put yours or anyone else’s safety at risk by taking action yourself...

Stop and Search Laws to be changed?

Police Chiefs are calling for a change in the 'stop and search' l..

link

Children and the Law Leaving a child at home.

There is no age laid down by the law stating when your child is old enough to be left home alone; however, it is against the law to leave a child home alone if..

Handling Stolen Goods

What is meant by 'handling stolen goods'...

Anti-Social Behaviour

Anti-Social Behaviour.
Anti-social behaviour is defined as activities that are unacceptable and reduce the quality of life for others, this could be by harassm..

Image Description
Is there anything wrong with this page? - any amendments will receive accreditation - email us

Solicitors.com are not a firm of solicitors, and any content on the site should not be used in substitute for obtaining Legal advice from a solicitor regulated in the UK, Solicitors.com recommends that you contact a firm of solicitors to discuss your individual legal requirement. Whilst we strive to bring you accurate up to date content, all content on this site is not legal advice and is not guaranteed to be correct. Use of this site does not create a client relationship.

Information by area of law
Back to top