You may not be looking for love. This can happen with friendships through gaming apps or social media.
We call this an Authorised Push Payment (APP) scam. Our APP scam page has all the info you need to keep safe.
How it works:
- The scammer builds an emotional connection. This can be online or face-to-face. They seem perfect.
- After a few weeks or months, they start asking for money for a ‘crisis’. It could be anything - a medical issue, travel costs, or maybe a business problem.
- They might ask you to cover up or lie about why you're making a payment. For example, if you transfer £10,000 and it raises suspicions, the scammer will tell you what to say to get around our checks and get the payment through.
- Once you send the money, they’ll either keep asking for more or disappear completely.
How to avoid it:
- Be cautious of people asking for money. No matter how well you think you know them, anyone who asks for cash especially before meeting in person is suspicious
- Don’t feel pressured to send money. Scammers often try to build trust quickly and rush into talking about love or commitment.
- Use a video chat before getting too involved. Scammers often avoid face-to-face contact because they’re not who they say they are.
- Keep an eye on friends and family. If someone close is being cagey about an online relationship or wants to send cash to someone they've never met, let us know. They might be getting scammed.
- Get advice. Talk to someone you trust, like a friend or family member, if you're suspicious.
