HOW CAN YOU SPOT A ROMANCE SCAM?

Top tips from Verity Henson: Spotting a scammer can be very tricky, and no one is immune to getting scammed. But, in most cases, the scammers are looking for people who are vulnerable. In the case of romance scams, that’s usually women who have recently been through a bereavement, divorce or other life-changing trauma. It’s important to make sure your social-media accounts are private or, if they are public, aren’t giving away a lot of intimate details about your life. Scammers use these details to find weaknesses and garner sympathy.

Particularly in the case of scammers pretending to be celebrities, they will look through the social media followers of celebs to find fans to manipulate. Unless their own account is verified, it’s highly likely that messages from someone claiming to be famous are fake.

A scammer may also try to isolate or estrange you from family and friends, convincing you that they’re the only one with your best interests at heart. It can be hard to see through the lies, but if you’re doubtful about an online interaction, reach out to your loved ones.

If you still have doubts, consider hiring a private investigator to verify the suspected scammer’s identity. It will cost you in the short-term, but could save thousands of pounds and lots of grief in the long run.