Fraudsters have stolen £80,000 from a woman in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, using a sophisticated romance scam. Kirsty, a 42-year-old florist and single mother of four fell victim to a fake online relationship that led to financial and emotional ruin. The scam began when Kirsty, recently divorced and encouraged by friends, ventured into online dating. She connected with a man who presented himself as a wealthy businessman with dark hair and blue eyes. He quickly gained her trust by sharing details of his life and even speaking to her over the phone.
The Scam Begins
The man told Kirsty he was travelling to Turkey for a business trip. After three days of silence, he contacted her, claiming he had been in a severe accident. He sent her a photo of himself in a hospital gown, explaining that his car had been hijacked and he had been beaten up. The man didn’t initially ask for money, which is a common tactic in romance scams. Instead, he requested Kirsty to help him manage his finances while he was recovering. He provided her with what appeared to be his online bank details, instructing her to make payments on his behalf.
Falling into the Trap
Kirsty accessed the supposed online bank, Regional Bank PLC, and saw a legitimate-looking account with a balance of $600,000. The site appeared genuine, showing pending and completed transactions. She believed she was helping someone in need and continued to make payments as instructed by the man. Her trust in him deepened, and she felt reassured by his gratitude.
However, when she attempted to log into the account again, she was locked out. The man’s demeanour changed abruptly. He blamed her for the problem and became angry. Although he later apologised, he manipulated her further, asking her to send her own money to settle a £5,000 bill, promising repayment once the account was unfrozen. Kirsty, feeling nervous but convinced by his earlier reassurances, agreed.
Devastating Losses
The requests for money didn’t stop. The man continued to manipulate Kirsty until she had transferred a total of £80,000, including £50,000 borrowed from her parents and sister. At one point, she even bought him a phone, sent it to Cyprus, and paid for his supposed flight home, only to find herself waiting alone at the airport. Kirsty tried to repay herself by accessing the account on his instructions, but the payment remained pending. In the process, she also entered her own bank details, which led to further fraud attempts.
Kirsty’s bank, Tide, did not contact her to question the large transactions. Tide stated that members are liable for payments they authorise and expressed regret for the loss and distress caused by the sophisticated fraud. The case is currently with the Financial Ombudsman, and Tide has declined to comment further.
Aftermath and Lack of Support
Two weeks later, Kirsty was again targeted by fraudsters who used the details she had entered on the fake site. They posed as her bank and persuaded her to move an additional £80,000. By then, Kirsty realised she had been conned. The realisation left her devastated. She described the experience as being in a “black hole,” struggling to comprehend what had happened and how she had been deceived.
Fraudsters often re-target their victims with different scams, exploiting the same personal information they initially obtained. This creates a vicious cycle in which the same victim is repeatedly hit with new scams. These subsequent attacks can vary widely. For instance, after falling victim to a phishing scam, you might be targeted by fraudsters posing as your bank, claiming to need further verification of your account details. The re-targeting is a deliberate tactic. Fraudsters know that victims of one scam are more likely to fall for another, particularly if they’re still dealing with the emotional fallout of the initial scam.
Protecting Yourself from Romance Fraud
Kirsty’s story is a stark reminder of the dangers of romance scams and the importance of fraud awareness. These scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it essential for individuals to remain vigilant. Always be cautious when communicating with someone online, especially if they ask for financial help or personal information. Fraud prevention measures, such as never sharing bank details and being wary of unsolicited requests, can help protect against such devastating losses.
Fraudsters are experts at manipulation, so don’t blame yourself if you fall victim to their scams. Instead, focus on raising awareness around issues like romance fraud. Most cases are avoidable if people know the warning signs. By increasing promotion and education on these red flags, we can significantly reduce the number of victims. Simple awareness and vigilance can make a big difference, preventing heartache and financial loss. Let’s work together to spread the word and protect ourselves and our loved ones from these deceptive tactics.
