Santander has collaborated with dating expert Anna Williamson to raise awareness about the ‘love language’ that can signal romance scams, which are currently targeting nearly a third of the UK population.
As part of this initiative, Santander has created ‘Love Hurts’ sweets featuring key phrases often used by scammers to manipulate their victims. Recent research from Santander indicates that approximately 31% of Brits have been approached by a romance scammer. Data from UK Finance reveals that reported romance scam cases rose to £31.3 million in 2022, an increase from £30.9 million in 2021 and £17.8 million in 2020.
Eighty-three percent of those who fell prey to such scams noted that the scammers’ language and the intimate nature of their conversations played a significant role in their victimization. Chris Ainsley, head of fraud risk management at Santander, emphasizes, “Scammers can be convincing and clever with their language, which is why we want to help people be more alert to the telltale signs of a romance scam.” He advises, “No matter how sweet a situation may seem, it’s crucial to think twice and consider whether the romance is genuine, especially when financial discussions arise.”
The research also found that victims lost an average of £2,331.50 to these scams. The emotional toll has left 81% of victims hesitant to date or meet new people, while 67% reported difficulty in trusting a romantic partner afterward.
Anna Williamson, TV presenter and relationship expert, remarks, “Romance fraud is manipulative and cruel. I hope Santander’s Love Hurts campaign can help educate people about the ‘love language’ to be mindful of, and prevent romance scammers from causing distress in people’s lives.”
The key phrases to be wary of, as featured on the Love Hurts sweets, include:
– I’ve fallen for u
– My £££’s frozen
– I’ll pay u back
– I can’t video call
– We’re so alike
– Trust me
– Only u can help
– We’ll be married
– U know me
– Soz, I’m abroad