Monday 20 June 2022, 11am-12.30pm (BST)
Our fantastic speakers presented an extended webinar on the topic of romance fraud: a growing and extremely distressing trend in cybercrime that can happen to anyone – old and young, and regardless of gender. Even the most sensible and level-headed of us can lose our hearts and our judgement when criminals go to great and highly sophisticated lengths to gain our trust and convince us that we are in a genuine relationship. They manipulate, persuade and exploit us so well, and sometimes over such long periods of time, that their inevitable requests do not ring our alarm bells.
Our prestigious speakers (including survivors, law enforcement, private sector fraud experts, and support scheme leaders) generously offered their time, wisdom and experience to enable us to burrow deeper into this important topic.
We examined the signs that indicate you, a friend or a family member may be involved in a romance scam.
We also considered the various techniques used and abused by the fraudsters, what can be done to prevent this crime, and how we can keep ourselves and others safe from romance scams.
And finally, we identified support groups and organisations available to victims, and how the SASIG community can help support and promote such schemes.
You can download Thames Valley Police’s guide to spotting romance fraudsters here. A practical support guide with useful tips, support resources, and further guidance is also available to download.
This webinar was only shown live and no recording is available.
Guest chaired by
Martin Smith MBE (info), Chairman & Founder, The SASIG
Panellists
Paul Maskall (info), Fraud and Cybercrime Prevention Manager, Dedicated Card & Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU), UK Finance
Anna Rowe (info), Manager, Catch the Catfish
Sam Cooper (info), Founder / Director, Rogue Daters
Lisa Mills (info), Senior Fraud Manager, Victim Support Sussex
Neil Postins, Service Delivery Manager National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit, City of London Police
David Gillies, Fraud Prevent & Protect Officer, Serious Crime Directive Essex Police
Sarah Hamilton-Paulley, Fraud Prevention Officer, Thames Valley Police
Chloe Bonass, Beacon Team Leader, Catch22, Hertfordshire Beacon Victim Care