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Episode details

Radio 4,07 Aug 2025,28 mins

Dating Fraud: Don't Worry, I'm Rich

Scam Secrets

Available for over a year

You've met someone online. You chat every night and it's going well - but then they need your help. Would you know what to do? Romance fraud cost people more than £400m last year - and that's just the cases that were reported. In this episode, BBC reporter Shari Vahl, criminologist Dr Elisabeth Carter and former scammer Alex Wood dissect the harrowing story of a woman who sent £80,000 to a man she believed was her soulmate. Step by step, they uncover the criminal's elaborate tactics - from the powerful use of silence and love bombing, to a fake banking app and lies about a trip to hospital. They highlight the red flags to watch out for and how to see criminals coming. You can email the team at [email protected] PRESENTER: SHARI VAHL PRODUCER: TOM MOSELEY

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