Sussex Police are urging residents to stay vigilant as Valentine’s Day approaches, warning that romance fraud is becoming an increasing concern across the region.
The force says cases of so-called “romance scams” are on the rise, with criminals exploiting online dating platforms and social media to target victims. Officers are reminding people to be cautious about sharing personal information with someone they have only met online, particularly if the relationship develops quickly.
Police say fraudsters typically do not ask for money straight away. Instead, they spend time building trust and forming what appears to be a genuine emotional connection. This grooming process can last weeks or even months, with regular messages, phone calls and declarations of affection designed to create a sense of closeness and dependency.
Once that trust has been established, the scammer may invent a crisis or urgent situation, such as medical bills, travel costs or business problems, and ask for large sums of money. By that stage, officers say, the request can seem plausible and victims may feel emotionally invested in helping.
Sussex Police are urging people never to send money to someone they have not met in person, no matter how convincing their story may seem. They also advise being wary of requests to move conversations away from official dating platforms onto private messaging apps too quickly.
Anyone who believes they may have been targeted, or who has concerns about suspicious online behaviour, is encouraged to report it to Sussex Police online or by calling 101.
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