
WE’RE a nation of romantics at heart, but with the emergence of shows like The Tinder Swindler it’s surprising more of us haven’t sworn off love.
Approximately one in five relationships in the UK begin on the internet, and a staggering nine million people attempt to find love online every day.
This is despite high-profile horror stories such as The Tinder Swindler circulating, a Netflix film which claims convicted fraudster Simon Liviev tricked multiple victims into believing he was a wealthy diamond heir – claims he vehemently denies.
Here Steve Wilson, UK & Ireland Director at , the global cyber safety company, reveals the seven red flags you need to know about before falling hook, line and sinker for that online love….
Red flag #1: Sworn to secrecy
The first thing any con artist will try to do is to ensure you keep your blossoming ‘romance’ just between the two of you, and will swear you to secrecy.
It sounds like an obvious one, but actually scammers employ a variety of subtle techniques that even the most cynical could fall for.
Steve Wilson says: “Your friends and family may warn you if they think you are talking to a scammer.
“Scammers know this, and that’s why they ask you to keep your conversations secret.
“Many will tell you not to disclose to anyone that you are talking to them.”