HOW TO STAY SAFE

● Check whether the images of themselves they use have actually been stolen from someone else by using Google’s reverse image search tool. Go to Google Images, where you’ll find a camera icon next to the search box. Click this to upload a picture or link. Google will find any matching images that have been taken from somewhere or someone else. Be aware too that artificial intelligence can create images of people that don’t exist at all.

● You can check phrases from their profile or their conversations by cutting and pasting them into a search engine, too, to see if the text appears anywhere else.

● Keep talking through the dating site. Fraudsters will try to lure you on to platforms such as Whatsapp or Facebook Messenger, and away from the dating site with its built-in anti-fraud measures. George Kidd, chief executive of the Online Dating Association (ODA), says: ‘A reputable site will have lots of information to help users stay safe, and will even belong to a body like the ODA.’

● Fraudsters are very patient. It may be many months before they ask for money or ask you to receive money into your account. Never give money to someone you haven’t met. It’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. You must report (see right) anyone asking you to access your bank account, take out loans, withdraw from your pension, buy and send the codes on gift cards from Amazon or itunes, or receive and/or send parcels on their behalf.