A WOMAN from Limerick was conned out of more than €30,000 by someone she met online who she believed she was in a relationship with.
The local woman, aged in her 40s, began talking to a man who said he was from America on an online dating site in January 2022.
They eventually exchanged numbers and started texting on Whatsapp before beginning a long-distance online relationship.
The man eventually told the unsuspecting woman that he was struggling to keep his construction business going in the States and asked her to send him money in Bitcoin so he could keep his company afloat.
The woman sent over 100 separate transactions to the man she believed to be her romantic partner, amounting to €35,000, which the scammer subsequently disappeared with.
Crime Prevention Officer with Henry Street Garda Station, Sergeant Ber Leetch, said that this type of scam is commonly known as romance fraud.
“The scammer takes their time and draws the victim into believing that there is a future for them as a couple,” Sgt Leetch said.
“After a length of time, this could be months, the scammer mentions money troubles because of either his work or family illness or some story like that.
“I know that romance fraud has cost some victims thousands and thousands of euro. The scammer will keep taking until they believe the money has gone and then they will disappear,” Sgt Leetch explained.
Sgt Leetch advised caution to anyone who is in a purely online relationship with someone they’ve never met.
“Anybody who is involved in an online relationship only – this means that you have never met the other person – could be a victim of romance fraud. I would be very, very suspicious if I did not get to meet them in person,” she said.
Anyone who is concerned about someone they may have met online, or has been asked to send money by an individual in the digital space, is advised to contact their nearest Garda station.
