A Halton resident has decided to speak about her experience of being caught out by a romance scammer so that she can help prevent others from falling into the same trap.

The lady got chatting to a man claiming to be an American soldier on a well-known online dating site. Within a couple of months he suggested they communicate away from the dating site.

They started to use text messages and telephone calls.The man led the lady to believe that a loving relationship had developed, and he promised to come to the UK to live with her.

His plans to move to the UK were interrupted when, he claimed, he was held in Dubai where his passport had been seized. He told the lady that in order to get his passport back he had to pay a release fee but that he didn’t have access to his own money.

He asked the lady for help and promised to pay her back in full. The lady, believing that she was about to start a new life with this man, sent him the money. He then gave another reason as to why he couldn’t leave Dubai and asked for more money.

Over a two-year period he gave a string of excuses, during which time the lady had sent him £30,000 by Moneygram. The lady was not wealthy, she had to take out loans to find the money he said he needed. She is now struggling to pay back the loans.

Halton Borough Council’s Executive Board Member for Trading Standards, Cllr Dave Cargill, said: “This lady didn’t behave recklessly and she isn’t stupid – she was groomed by this man for a few months before he asked her for any money.

“Professional romance scammers are skilled and patient: they will spend time building trust before they ask for money, so that their target is no longer wary of them.”

If you are feeling lonely this Christmas and are thinking about using online dating, protect yourself from the professional scammers using online dating websites:

• Choose and use safe and reputable dating sites
• Don’t give too much personal information
• Don’t move to contact away from the dating site such as text, email or phone
• Take your time and think twice – is the person who they claim to be? Are they looking for your affection or your money?

NEVER BE TEMPTED TO SEND OR TRANSFER MONEY TO PEOPLE YOU MEET ONLINE EVEN IF THEIR STORY IS HEARTBREAKING.

See Get Safe Online’s website for more advice about dating online safely.

If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam or fraud please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.

If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06