Bankers prevent £100,000 of ‘romance fraud’ scams
Scams worth more than £100,000 have been prevented by vigilant bankers in Staffordshire in two months, police have revealed.
Among the six victims were three people who nearly fell prey to ‘romance fraud’, an emerging crime trend where the culprits try to befriend people via dating websites in a ploy to gain their trust and then later request money. Staffordshire Police stated there was also one incident of carer fraud.
The force stated attempts were scuppered thanks to the launch of a new partnership between themselves, trading standards and the finance industry, which saw bank staff call police the moment they suspected someone was being defrauded.
The scheme official started at the end of September.
In October and November the police received five calls from bank staff who were concerned for six people. As a result the force confirmed acts of fraud were stopped in their tracks.
Detective inspector Rob Harvmann, of the force’s Fraud and Financial Investigation Unit, said: “Fraud can have a devastating impact on some of the most susceptible people in society and it’s by working together with Trading Standards and the finance industry that we can make a real difference.
“This joint working is a great example of taking action to protect people from becoming victims.
“These are particularly callous criminals who prey on the vulnerable to extort money from their victims that they can ill afford to lose.”
The force stated online dating was becoming more popular with the over 60s generation but as a result they were vulnerable to romance fraud.
A spokeswoman added: “Romance fraud works through social engineering rather than any kind of sophisticated technology.
“The fraudster typically creates a profile on a dating or social networking site, exploiting information that potential targets have posted. As soon as the fraudster has gained the trust of the victim, he or she will typically profess to have fallen in love, and soon after that, begin requesting money.
“They may claim to have an emergency need for funds or may request money for air-fares to visit the target.
“Among other possibilities, the fraudster may request photos or personal information that could eventually be used to blackmail the victim and extort more money.”
Gill Heath, communities chief for Staffordshire County Council which runs trading standards, said: “Financial fraud and rogue trader activity causes a huge amount of misery for thousands of people and we’re keen to play a part in stopping it wherever we can.”
“The Banking Protocol has given bank and building societies clearer reporting guidelines which can help stop criminal activity from going ahead.
“The scheme was launched in Staffordshire in September and is already having an impact.”
