Staff and volunteers from GMP’s Economic Crime Unit will be hosting pop-up awareness events across the region this week with a particular focus on romance fraud.
Since January, there have been 148 reports of romance fraud in Greater Manchester with victims reporting losing just over £1m.
In 2024, we received 267 reports with a reported loss of £2.67m, while nationally last year, over £106m was lost to romance fraudsters.
Among the reports this year was a woman who ‘met’ a fraudster on social media purporting to be a well-known Emmerdale actor.
Following the initial interaction, contact moved to telephone calls and the victim transferred more than £20,000.
In another case, a female victim transferred several thousand pounds to someone pretending, again, to be a celebrity.
Detective Inspector Stacey Shannon, from GMP’s Cyber and Economic Crime Awareness Service, said: “The impact of romance fraud is profound, affecting victims emotionally and financially.
“Our team is here to support victims through the devastating emotional trauma effects that it can have on our community.
“There are some fantastic support groups available to victims independently of the police, such as LoveSaid.
“If you have been a victim of romance fraud where you have lost money, we urge you to report this to Action Fraud and your bank. You will be heard and you will be believed.
“Our team will be supporting the national Romance Fraud campaign and will be holding a number of events within your communities.
“These events are free and our team will be on hand to provide you with information on staying safe online and protecting yourself from fraud.”
Police are holding the following events this week:
Wednesday 1 October: Merseyway Shopping Centre, Stockport (10am-1pm)
Thursday 2nd October: Virgin, Market Place, Oldham (10am-1pm); Halifax, Yorkshire Street, Rochdale (10am-1pm); Yorkshire BS, Merseyway, Stockport (10am-1pm)
Friday 3 October: Alkrington Library, Middleton (10am-1pm)
