Romance scammers ‘shifting tactics towards bogus investment schemes’ | LBC
Nationwide attributes changes in scam tactics to public awareness. This is the institution’s interpretation, not a demonstrated causal effect.
Research & trendsData from The GDELT Project · Reviewed and interpreted by RSRC
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Matching coverage over time
The chart uses every search filter above and all matching records, across every results page. The percentage denominator is all included URLs in the same dates, before theme, language, country or text filters.
Distinct included URLs matching these filters in each observation month. Select a point to explore its records. On small screens, scroll the chart horizontally.
A URL counts once per month and can appear in several months or themes. Themes describe the current record assessment; months show URL observations, not when events or each claim first appeared. Warnings, allegations and reported experiences are all included when coded. Partial months, collection gaps and changes in sources affect both measures. A higher share does not establish a higher risk to victims.
Read the graph as a table
| Observation month | Matching URLs | All included URLs | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2025 | 591 | 591 | 100.0% |
| Feb 2025 | 1,629 | 1,629 | 100.0% |
| Mar 2025 | 561 | 561 | 100.0% |
| Apr 2025 | 390 | 390 | 100.0% |
| May 2025 | 398 | 398 | 100.0% |
| Jun 2025 | 209 | 209 | 100.0% |
| Jul 2025 | 522 | 522 | 100.0% |
| Aug 2025 | 447 | 447 | 100.0% |
| Sep 2025 | 613 | 613 | 100.0% |
| Oct 2025 | 483 | 483 | 100.0% |
| Nov 2025 | 392 | 392 | 100.0% |
| Dec 2025 | 333 | 333 | 100.0% |
| Jan 2026 | 530 | 530 | 100.0% |
| Feb 2026 | 1,106 | 1,106 | 100.0% |
| Mar 2026 | 360 | 360 | 100.0% |
| Apr 2026 | 491 | 491 | 100.0% |
| May 2026 | 785 | 785 | 100.0% |
| Jun 2026 | 842 | 842 | 100.0% |
| Jul 2026 | 1,143 | 1,143 | 100.0% |
| Aug 2026 | 640 | 640 | 100.0% |
| Sep 2026 | 638 | 638 | 100.0% |
| Oct 2026 | 30 | 30 | 100.0% |
12,949 matching media records
Each record represents a source web page, not a verified incident. Different URLs can describe the same event. About these records.
‘Cruel’ romance scams cost Northern Irish victims almost €1 million – PSNI - Homepage - Western People
PSNI reporting describes roughly £866,000 over about ten months and around 100 reports since April. Euro and rounded pound versions refer to overlapping reporting, not additional losses.
Research & trendsUna clase en la UNED de Pontevedra para evitar las estafas amorosas de San Valentín
A warning, educational notice or advice item discusses romantic financial deception. The excerpt does not independently establish seasonal incidence or prevention effectiveness.
Prevention & supportDorset Police aims to combat romance fraud this Valentine's Day
Police recruit hairdressers and salons to discuss romance-fraud warning signs. The initiative is described, but effectiveness is not evaluated.
Prevention & supportCICC logs 18 love scams in January - BusinessWorld Online
The CICC records at least eighteen January complaints and explicitly says the figure is incomplete. Complaints are not a complete count of incidents or proven cases.
Research & trendsMississippians urged to be on alert for 'romance scams' this Valentine's Day - SuperTalk Mississippi
A warning, advice item or prevention notice discusses romantic deception. Brief claims of growth, vulnerability or comparative ranking are attributed and do not establish a measured population rate or effectiveness.
Prevention & supportNearly £900k lost to romance scams in last 10 months in NI as police issue warning ahead of Valentine’s Day
PSNI reporting describes roughly £866,000 over about ten months and around 100 reports since April. Euro and rounded pound versions refer to overlapping reporting, not additional losses.
Research & trendsAttenti alla truffa di San Valentino, l’amore online diventa una trappola (soprattutto) per adulti e anziani
A warning, advice item or prevention notice discusses romantic deception. Brief claims of growth, vulnerability or comparative ranking are attributed and do not establish a measured population rate or effectiveness.
Prevention & supportValentine’s Day may be peak season for romance scammers, but the threat is year-round
Professional commentary discusses bank detection and parallels with application fraud. Proposed approaches are not demonstrated prevention effects.
CommentarySwiping This Valentine’s Day? What Central New Yorkers Need to Know About Romance Scams
A Valentine’s-period warning or advice item discusses romantic financial deception. A seasonal increase asserted in a headline is not a measured trend or evidence that the advice works.
Prevention & supportWest Fargo police warn of romance scams ahead of Valentine’s Day
A warning, educational notice or advice item discusses romantic financial deception. The excerpt does not independently establish seasonal incidence or prevention effectiveness.
Prevention & supportPopular Ghanaian socialite wey dey face $8m romance scam for US sue FBI and odas for alleged abuse
Frederick Kumi, known as Abu Trica, reportedly sues the FBI and Ghanaian authorities over alleged rights abuses while facing US romance-fraud charges. Both the fraud and abuse remain allegations.
Reported caseFBI Issues Valentine’s Day Romance Scam Warning for New Jersey
A Valentine’s-period warning or advice item discusses romantic financial deception. A seasonal increase asserted in a headline is not a measured trend or evidence that the advice works.
Prevention & supportRomance scammers ‘shifting tactics towards bogus investment schemes’
Nationwide attributes changes in scam tactics to public awareness. This is the institution’s interpretation, not a demonstrated causal effect.
Research & trends‘Cruel’ romance scams cost Northern Irish victims almost €1 million – PSNI - Homepage - Laois Nationalist
PSNI reporting describes roughly £866,000 over about ten months and around 100 reports since April. Euro and rounded pound versions refer to overlapping reporting, not additional losses.
Research & trendsFake Photos and Fake Love: How Scammers in WA Trick Victims into Financial Loss.
A brokerage-comparison company estimates 59,000 American romance-scam victims. The brief excerpt lacks a period, denominator and transparent estimation method.
Research & trendsAhead of 2026 Valentine’s Day, EcoWaste Coalition Cautions Men from Using Unregistered Sexual Enhancement Products
A multi-topic programme or consumer notice briefly mentions a romance-scam warning. Its other stories and product-health concerns are not coded as scam harms.
Related mentionAuthorities warn against romance scammers who build trust before stealing
Authorities explain daily conversations and emotional connection preceding requests for financial help. This is a general mechanism, not a new case.
Prevention & supportRomance scammers ‘gear up’ as Valentine’s Day spike in online fraud looms
A warning, advice item or prevention notice discusses romantic deception. Brief claims of growth, vulnerability or comparative ranking are attributed and do not establish a measured population rate or effectiveness.
Prevention & supportHairdressers recruited by police to sniff out romance fraud victims
Police recruit hairdressers and salons to discuss romance-fraud warning signs. The initiative is described, but effectiveness is not evaluated.
Prevention & supportCICC nagbabala sa deepfake AI na ginagamit sa love scams
Coverage describes AI-assisted romantic deception and warning signs. Repeated coverage and claims of greater persuasion do not independently measure AI effectiveness.
Prevention & supportMalaga travel agency scam: families speak out after romance scam victim stole their money | Sur in English
Reporting alleges the Florín travel-agency owner used €100,000 from 55 clients to fund a false lover. Those clients are secondary harmed people, not necessarily direct romance victims.
Reported caseHairdressers urged to help tackle romance fraud before Valentine’s Day
Dorset police ask salons and barbers to help discuss romance fraud. The initiative is not an evaluated intervention.
Prevention & supportRomance Scam Warning | 105.9 The Brew
A Valentine’s-period warning or advice item discusses romantic financial deception. A seasonal increase asserted in a headline is not a measured trend or evidence that the advice works.
Prevention & supportRomance scams doubled last year, Bank of Ireland says, as it warns consumers ahead of Valentine’s Day
Bank of Ireland says its recorded romance-fraud cases doubled in 2025. The source’s case series does not measure total population incidence.
Research & trends