Romance scams

It's a horrible crime that targets vulnerable people, then slowly but surely builds trust and grooms them until they do not realise that they are being coerced and manipulated. Thus they have become a victim where their usual rational response is overtaken.

We don't blame other victims of grooming and abuse by criminal perpetrators, so I feel a bit uncomfortable blaming the victims of romance scam financial abuse.

RosieandherMaw

OldFrill

Smileless2012

Just seen this featured on 'Rip Off Britain' with the usual advice being given, but surely all that needs to be said is never send money to someone you've met online and never met in person.

If only life was that simple eh.

Why isn’t it?
We’ve all lived a good few years, possibly kissed a few frogs whether or not we found a prince,but we’re hardly innocent maidens.
Common sense is just tat, surely?

"We" all aren't the same. There are some incredibly emotionally vulnerable people who can be taken coerced and controlled. Often these people seem anything but vulnerable to family and friends. It's really not a joke, it's very sad.

it's a horrible crime , I suppose some lonely people don't want to believe it and that's what these sickos are banking on. But surely it's a red flag when someone you've only met online starts asking you for money..

I saw a program on romance scams a few years ago. One women carried on sending this guy money even when she found out he wasn’t genuine and was a scammer. She said talking to him was better than being lonely.
It was then I realized that a lot of people who fall for these scams are so desperately lonely they almost don’t care.

OldFrill

Smileless2012

Just seen this featured on 'Rip Off Britain' with the usual advice being given, but surely all that needs to be said is never send money to someone you've met online and never met in person.

If only life was that simple eh.

Why isn’t it?
We’ve all lived a good few years, possibly kissed a few frogs whether or not we found a prince,but we’re hardly innocent maidens.
Common sense is just tat, surely?

I think it is as MollyNew says. These scammers build up trust with someone over a period of time before the request for help comes along - “I just need x amount of £’s to buy my ticket” (or whatever), and vulnerable people are sadly drawn in by it. It is wicked and the scum that do it need bringing to justice, but that seems to be impossible.

I've seen so many sad stories about this. Some people are desperately lonely I suppose. I know I would never give money to anyone I didn't know and I don't understand those who do but who knows why people do it.

Smileless2012

Just seen this featured on 'Rip Off Britain' with the usual advice being given, but surely all that needs to be said is never send money to someone you've met online and never met in person.

If only life was that simple eh.

You're right, of course and many people would never send money to strangers but these scammers are so devious and patient. They target vulnerable people and groom them to gain their trust. They don't ask for money immediately, so the victims really believe they're in a relationship. They don't care so if someone refuses, they'll just move on to someone else until they find a willing victim. It's a horrible crime.

It's like domestic abuse. People ask why a person would stay with a violent partner but they often aren't violent straight away, their behaviour gets more controlling over a period of time.