CYBER criminals specialising in romance fraud are targeting lonely Irish people during the lockdown, a top cop has warned.
Det Chief Supt Pat Lordan said online con artists are preying on those stuck at home feeling alone and vulnerable.
And the head of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau warned people looking for love online to watch out for scammers.
He told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “Now is the time when people are probably sitting at home and feeling lonely and there’s a huge amount of romance fraud.
“It’s where people will build up a relationship and then start looking for money. Now is the perfect climate for that.
“We haven’t seen any increase in it lately but we will. They contact you through any media – Facebook or one of the dating websites.
“So they set up a relationship online, they never meet the person and are more than likely living in a different country.
“For example, one might be a doctor in France, Germany or Italy and then in six weeks’ time they say something terrible has happened and that their daughter has Covid-19 and they need money for her care.
“The next thing the target is sending on €5,000.
“People will have to look out for this kind of fraud. We are not trying to frighten people, this is the reality.
“You need to be aware that the scams will come, the looking for help, the looking for money.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 19, 2020 من Irish Sunday Mirror.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 19, 2020 من Irish Sunday Mirror.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Euros are in sights
DOM EYEING MASSIVE TARGET
A BLANK SLATE
Roy's back on board in predictable stalemate
Jesus backing a Brazil pal to strike it Rich
GABRIEL JESUS loved seeing Brazil team-mate Richarlison put his off-the-field troubles behind him with his first Prem goal of the season for Tottenham last weekend
CASE DISMISSED
Poch: I've got to prove in the Prem same goes for Unai
OZ-SOME!
Kyra: Atmosphere felt like World Cup all over again
Kid Elliott doesn't do things by Hary's
A SENIOR RED AT 20... HELPING NEW STARS TO DO IT ‘THE LIVERPOOL WAY’
I FEAR WE'LL NEVER GET JUSTICE FOR STUART NOW
Brother of Barrymore pool riddle man after death of doc who botched probe
LETBY GETS FAN MAIL FROM SICK GHOULS
Fury as weirdos write to serial killer in jail
CATCH MARTIN'S 1-PUNCH KILLER
Family's 'heartbreak intensified because attacker is still at large
Brand drama school urges ex-pupils to speak up over groping claims
Comedian accused of touching girls beneath his 'cloak of love'
