The devastating impact of romance scams extends beyond monetary loss, often resulting in emotional trauma and helplessness. Pricewatch got in touch with both the Irish police (the gardaí) and the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland (BPFI) to explore available support for Mary and her family and appropriate measures for her protection.
Both organisations expressed great concern but emphasized the limited intervention they could offer. Confidentiality constraints inhibited the gardaí from discussing case-specific details but they shed light on the general tactics of romance scams. A representative explained how scammers gradually win over the victim’s confidence, ultimately pushing them to part with their money.
Interestingly, she pointed out that victims may initially be asked for small amounts, which progressively increase as the fake ‘relationship’ progresses. The representative mentioned how many victims refrain from reporting these crimes due to embarrassment, making the true extent of such scams elusive. She highlighted the involvement of the gardaí with Europol in busting such operations, especially those orchestrated by organised crime syndicates.
The gardaí remained open to a discussion with the concerned family to explore possibilities of assistance.
An individual working in the fraud unit of a bank, dealing with vulnerable accounts, suggested that such stories are becoming rampant. It is often challenging to convince individuals not to send money. From her experience, she found that the intervention of community gardaí could sometimes yield fruitful results where family members couldn’t.
Additionally, the BPFI interacted with the affected family, lending advice. A statement from a representative elaborated their commitment to safeguarding customers from such scams, employing strategies like staff training, encrypted transactions, fraud surveillance, payment control, and community engagement and awareness. The representative affirmed that many of their members liaise with An Garda Síochána besides running programmes for vulnerable customers to combat such scams.
Consumers, even when warned, have the right to proceed with their payments according to existing laws, banks must abide. Fraudsters involved in romance scams can navigate their way into trust and emotional intimacy through online dating platforms, often investing months cultivating relationships before crafting a narrative that necessitates immediate funds. Misleading and emotionally charged language is then employed to convince the victim to transfer money.
A representative pointed out a few telling signs, such as an individual quickly transitioning from the dating app to private text messages. The supposed lover often shies away from video chats or arranging face-to-face meetings, spinning out elaborate reasons not to. Furthermore, the conversation is draped around you, the victim, with the scammer showing little interest in revealing personal information. Also, an urgent requirement for cash due to an unforeseen crisis or a heartbreaking family incident signals danger.
For your safety, adopt these precautionary measures:
Think before you share personal information on online dating websites or social media platforms. Do not disclose your complete name or residential address to maintain your privacy. Be sceptical of individuals who are overly curious about your life but divulge little about themselves. Stick to trustworthy dating sites and chat through their messaging services, avoiding an early jump to social media or text messaging. Never share your bank details or send money to someone you’ve not met, no matter how deep your trust is.
Refrain from sending money for expenses such as flights, visas, or customs charges for their visit. Remember, people online can pretend to be someone else. Try to check an image through a Google search to see if it appears on various sites or profiles. You must never share your personal documents such as passport or driving license copies. In case you feel you’ve been conned, get in touch with your bank without delay. The faster you react, the better chances you have to recover any funds lost. If you have a suspicion of being a victim, contact your bank and An Garda Síochána immediately.