Santander Bank Launches Campaign Against "Romantic Fraud"
Santander's British branch has teamed up with relationship expert Anna Williamson to create an initiative aimed at warning customers about the "language of love" to pay attention to, as one-third of Britons fall victim to "romantic scams." As part of this program, the bank has developed candies named "Love Hurts," containing phrases that scammers use in their deceits, according to a bank press release.
According to the announcement, around 31% of Britons have become victims of romantic fraud. Scammers put in all efforts to gain the trust of potential victims and convince them of serious relationships before extracting money from them.
According to data from the British Ministry of Finance, the number of romantic scams has increased: in 2022, there were recorded abuses amounting to £31.3 million, compared to £30.9 million in 2021 and £17.8 million in 2020.
"Scammers can be persuasive and crafty, so we want to help people be more attentive to the telltale signs of fraud in romance. No matter how sweet a situation may seem, it's important to think twice and ask yourself if it's a real romance, especially when the conversation turns to finances," noted Chris Ainslie, Head of Fraud Risk Management at Santander.
Furthermore, over 83% of victims of romantic fraud reported being deceived due to cunning language, communication tactics, or intimate conversations with criminals. The Santander study also indicated that the average loss for victims was £2,331.5. Additionally, 81% of respondents stated that this experience affected their willingness to connect with new people, while 67% no longer trust romantic partners.
The "Love Hurts" candies feature phrases such as "I've fallen for u," "My £££'s frozen," "I'll pay u back," "I can't video call," "We're so alike," "Trust me," "Only u can help," "We'll be married," "U know me," and "Soz, I'm abroad."
The bank offers several pieces of advice to clients to prevent romantic scams. It is recommended to verify the authenticity of the person you're communicating with (for example, through image searches on search engines). The bank also emphasizes that a new acquaintance may ask for a loan, and in such a situation, it's important to avoid impulsive decisions and perhaps seek advice from others before responding.