Limerick gardai offer advice on how to avoid romance scams
GARDAI are warning the public and issuing advice on how to avoid romance scams.
A romance scam is a confidence trick involving scammers who feign romantic intentions towards a victim, gaining the victim's affection, and then using that goodwill to get the victim to send money to the scammer under false pretences or to commit fraud against the victim.
Gardai say there has been a substantial increase in these types of scams in the past year.
An Garda Síochána have now issued advice and what romance fraudsters will do to their victim. They are as follows:
- Try to move communications away from dating websites. They suggest that you move
to instant messaging, text or phone calls instead.
- Ask a lot of personal questions.
- Avoid answering personal questions about themselves..
- Try to establish a bond quickly.
- Ask for financial help. They may tell you about money problems in the hope that you’ll
offer to help.
- Never meet you in person. They will present obstacles and may go as far as making
arrangements and cancelling them at the last minute.
If you believe that you are a victim of a romance scam, or think your identity or personal information has been compromised, contact any garda station and report the crime.
Please be assured that An Garda Síochána will treat all reports in confidence.