Women in their 60s most likely to fall victim to dating fraud

PEOPLE in their 60s are most vulnerable when it comes to dating fraud, police have warned.

Dating fraud, when someone thinks they are in a relationship and is conned out of money, is most likely to happen to those aged 60 to 69, police research showed.

This age group is three times more likely to be a victim of dating fraud than those aged 70 to 79, it found, with women almost twice as likely to be victims as men.

Action Fraud, the police’s national fraud unit, and the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau analysed 2,926 reports where victims were classed as vulnerable.

They found that people with mental health issues, physical disabilities and those who are older and living alone were being “cruelly targeted” by scams such as dating fraud and criminals turning up on their doorsteps.

In addition, older people were falling victim to a scam known as advance fee fraud, the analysis suggested. This is where bogus cold callers impersonate legitimate organisations such as the taxman, police or bank officials and persuade victims to transfer money.

Of the reports, from between October 2017 and March 2018, nearly a third of those reporting advance fee fraud were vulnerable people aged over 60.

Pauline Smith, the Action Fraud director, said: “Fraudsters are cruelly targeting the most vulnerable people in our society to make them part with their cash and personal details.

“It is vital that you are aware of these frauds and how to spot them, and if you think you or a friend or family member has been a victim, report it.”