Nationwide warning as romance fraud method can make it 'impossible' to get money back

Nationwide has , cautioning that some tactics used by con artists could result in victims never seeing their money again.

The building society pointed out: "Once the money has been sent, it's unlikely you'll get it back. It can even be impossible to recover. The scammer will often disappear after they get the money. The messages stop, their profile goes away."

It is advising people who suspect they've sent money to a scammer to immediately contact their bank with any evidence. This advice is particularly pertinent as 29% of online daters have been asked for money by someone they haven't met in person.

Tragically, more than half of those getting these requests actually complied. In 2022, this type of fraud swindled £31.3 million from unsuspecting Brits, as reported by UK Finance.

But the damage isn't solely financial; the emotional toll on victims can be severe.

Nationwide warned: "Over time, scammers build online relationships based on trust and do what they can to make people think this is the real thing.

"Eventually, they start asking for money. And they use emotional manipulation and exploitation to lure people in.

"They claim the money is for anything from medical fees for a sick parent to travel money to come visit you. These are lies. They are not who they say they are."

Nonetheless, it's important to remember that genuine, fulfilling relationships can indeed begin on the internet. To help distinguish between a sincere prospective match and a suave charlatan, the popular bank has outlined seven key steps you should consider.

Firstly, remain on reputable platforms. While scammers can sometimes penetrate credible sites, they often urge you to communicate through less secure channels such as private emails, phone calls, or messaging services, all of which are harder to safeguard.

Another crucial point is to steer clear of money talk. If the person you're talking to starts bringing up money transfers, requests, or appeals for funds before letting you meet them in person, this is a major red flag.

Conducting your research is also vital, Nationwide suggests: "Are they on other social network websites? Can you confirm what they've told you about where they work or live or what their life circumstances are? You may want to do a reverse image search on their photos."

Consult those you trust in real life. When caught in the whirlwind of emotions, it's easy to miss red flags, especially as scammers might attempt to isolate you by insisting that your burgeoning romance remains a secret.

Such demands should immediately raise concerns. It's wise to share details about your relationship with trusted friends or family members.

Romance scammers often talk with multiple targets simultaneously, using a standard script with nicknames such as 'honey' or 'babe', rather than personal names. Such scripts can lead to inconsistencies; be sure not to overlook these red flags because of infatuation.

When it comes to investments, stay alert. If you're being urged to back someone's project or seemingly sound financial opportunities, Nationwide cautions: "They'll try to convince you it's easy, or guarantee high returns. Don't be fooled."

There's also a range of expert advice and validation services offered by banks and Action Fraud. Nationwide provides a Scam Checker Service, which helps verify any transactions from your Nationwide account that cause concern.