Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Shane Hickey

INSANE: Highly manipulative steps to help you avoid the rise in romance fraud | Vintage Vibes

Businessperson using a laptop
Romance scams among people over 55 in the UK have risen 52% in the past year, according to Lloyds, and it not just happening via dating sites. Photograph: Cultura Creative (RF)/Alamy

After months trawling the dating apps, you’ve finally met someone you feel you can connect with. Alas, they are working on an oil platform offshore, or perhaps serving in the military overseas doing sensitive work that demands discretion.

Wherever they are in the world, your new romantic interest has endless excuses for why they can’t have a video chat, let alone meet you in person. But they are not so shy about asking for money.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.