As Valentine’s Day nears, ComReg warns the public about scams, where fraudsters create fake identities to form emotional connections initially through dating apps, before making contact directly by texts or calls. Their goal is to trick victims into sending money or financial information.
These ‘romance scammers’ invest time in building trust, but delay in-person meetings. Their profiles and photos are usually fake. Once trust is gained, they create reasons to ask for money. These scams can have significant financial and emotional impacts. They often originate from overseas but also occur domestically.
The full extent of these scams is unclear, as many victims hesitate to report them to Gardaí. The scammers appear convincing, making it difficult to identify the scams, especially with increased use of AI. It is important to be vigilant and take precautions.
Tips to help you:
- Be cautious of calls or texts urging you to act in haste
- Be wary of texts from unknown numbers, even if they appear to be Irish
- Avoid clicking on links
- Do not send money through unknown links or to unknown contacts
- Never share personal information
- Don’t reply to unknown contacts.
We have more information on scam calls and texts along with advice on handling suspicious messages.
What you can do:
If you suspect you have provided financial information to a scam or experienced identity theft, contact your bank immediately to seek advice and potentially hold your account. Report the incident to any Garda Station, where your report will be treated confidentially.
