Romance fraud is rising in Waterford, with victims not realising the truth until intimate images have been exchanged.

According to An Garda Siochána, victims of the scam believe they have met their perfect match online. However, the other person is in fact a scammer using a fake profile to build the relationship. They slowly gain the victim’s trust with a view to eventually asking them for money.

In one case, an Irish woman was showered with expensive gifts, before she was asked to invest in a business. Over a thirteen (13) month period, the woman gave the romance fraudster €48,000. The woman initially delayed reporting the fraud to Gardaí as she was married.

Sergeant Deirdre O'Neill joined Dymphna Nugent for this week's Waterford Garda Watch to discuss romance fraud. She also advises how to tell the real suitors from the fake ones.

Click on the image to listen back to the interview.

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