A human Crime
Who Saw It?
Who saw what? What could they see?
One person. One relationship. One crime.
But along the way, lots of people saw pieces of the story.
The victim experienced the whole thing.
The dating platform saw the profile.
Social media saw the account.
Family and friends saw the changes.
The bank saw the transactions.
Law enforcement saw the report.
But who saw it? What did they do?
Who saw what? What did they do?
What could they see? What could they do?
This Romance Fraud Awareness Week, we’re following a story from beginning to end , to understand what happened, what each stakeholder could see, and where opportunities to intervene may have existed.
Because romance abuse doesn’t happen in a vacuum.
See the pieces. Join the dots.
Find assets here to share on your Website or Social Media Platforms
✓ PDf’s
✓ Facebook and instagram
Are you ready to call for change?
This week, we ask that all sectors stake a claim in this call for action. What do you need, to do your job better and keep victims safe?
Services
So you think you know about Romance Abuse?
Could This Happen to You?
Think you’d spot the criminal? Think again.
Romance abuse doesn’t start with money—it starts with trust. Take our 60-second check to see how manipulation really works, and why it happens to smart, kind people every day.
Take the 60-second awareness check or Read the reality behind the red flags.
Know the Signs
If it feels too perfect, too soon, pause.
Scammers follow scripts. Their profiles, messages, and stories often follow patterns. Learn the most common red flags used in dating and social media fraud, then share it with someone you care about.
View our ‘Fake Profiles-What to Look For’ guide or Download the ‘Dating safety’ poster.
Action: Speak Out, Show Up, Share
Awareness isn’t enough. Let’s raise the standard.
Change happens when we all step up. Share a story. Start a conversation. Download tools for your community or workplace. Together, we stop the silence.
- Share a story (anonymously or publicly)
- Sign up for the awareness campaign or event
- Social media toolkit or downloadable materials
Start a conversation. End the silence.
Annually Celebrated October 3rd
Advocating Against Romance Scammers is the founder of World Romance Scam Prevention Day! A day to bring more awareness and education from the public and private sectors on a national and international level. See how you can help the cause and our latest campaign to recognise the day!
This year’s focus: The MY VOICE Campaign & Unbreaking Project- Kate’s Hugs.
Fighting Fraud and Fuelling Education
Global Partnerships
World Romance Scam Prevention Day 3rd October
Blogs & Articles
All Blogs
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Scam Alert Blog
LoveSaid and Scam Alert: Partnering to Support Romance Scam Victims Romance scams are…
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Peter Taylor Blog
Voodoo Fraud Voodoo fraud ‘I am sure he loves me, and I know…
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Laura Lehane Blog
Fraud is evolving, so must we:The Power of Collaboration, Insight, and Innovation By…
Find resources
LoveSaid
Victims aren’t just survivors, they’re a rich source of evidence and insight, holding the key to the hidden behaviours and tactics only they’ve lived through. Victim-led support isn’t optional, it’s essential.
10 Years of Experience
Our founders have lived experience of both behavioural and financial tactics. Through Catch The Catfish, a wealth of experience supporting victims across the spectrum of romance fraud and learning from them, as well as the criminals as they slowly evolve tactics.
Victim Centred Approach
A victim-centred approach means the person harmed is no longer an afterthought, their safety, voice, and recovery lead, not the convenience of a system.
Support for all Stakeholders
We offer support and resources for all stakeholders.
Meet Our Contributors
Without contributors, weeks like this don’t happen.
Here’s your chance to meet some of the incredible individuals-survivors, advocates, experts, and allies-who help bring these campaigns to life and turn awareness into action.
#TogetherWeRise #RomanceFraudAwarenessWeek
Anna Rowe
Founder
Founder, Catch The Catfish & Romance Fraud Awareness Week U.K, Co-Founder of LoveSaid.
I became an advocate because I know how isolating and devastating romance fraud is. Speaking out gives a voice to those who can’t. It challenges stigma and pushes for real change. You are not alone – we deserve protection, justice, and a system that truly supports us.
Becky Holmes
Author and Fraud Fighter
Keanu Reeves is not in love with you: The murky world of online romance fraud.
Becky Holmes has become a regular guest on radio and podcasts around the world where she talks about all things romance fraud, whether that be with a light-hearted touch such as Richard Herring’s Book Club podcast or with a more serious tone as on Jeremy Vine’s BBC radio 2 show.
Tracey Grummet
Founder
Founder, Onlinesafe Antifraud Awareness
Is a dedicated victim advocate with over eight years of experience combating online fraud. Her journey began after becoming the target of a romance scam, inspiring her to raise awareness, investigate scams, and support others through education and guidance.
Debbie
Fraud Fighter
Victim and Advocate
Debbie C is the creator of wolfbait_2, a platform she founded after being targeted by a romance scammer in 2018. Since then, she has dedicated herself to learning how scammers operate and sharing that knowledge to help others, using social media and community networks to raise awareness and prevent online fraud.
Kathy Waters
Co-Founder
And Executive Director, Advocating Against Romance Scammers (AARS)
Kathy Waters is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Advocating Against Romance Scammers (AARS), a nonprofit dedicated to protecting individuals from online relationship fraud. She works with lawmakers, tech companies, and global partners to improve detection, prevention, and support for victims.
Simon Newman
CEO of ODDA
Simon Newman is the CEO of the Online Dating and Discovery Association (ODDA), the global trade body championing safe, trustworthy, and innovative online dating and social discovery. Formerly head of the Cyber Resilience Centre for London, he has worked in senior public-sector roles, advised international governments, and now leads ODDA to strengthen member representation, shape policy, and promote industry safety standards. Soon
CIFAS
Fraud Prevention
Personal and Business
Cifas is the UK’s fraud prevention community. For over 30 years we have worked with hundreds of organisations to stop fraud and our community is made up organisations from across the sectors, including most banks, credit providers and telecommunication companies, who join Cifas as members.
Laura Lehane
Head of Financial Crime & MLRO at AJ Bell
An experienced SMF17 professional with over 12 years in financial crime prevention, specialising in AML frameworks and the use of AI, technology, and automation to strengthen defences. With strong ties to industry bodies, regulators, and law enforcement, they are currently leading efforts in the investment sector on data sharing under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act to tackle fraud.
Peter Taylor
The Fraud Guy
The Fraud Guy, is a consultant and trainer with decades of experience in fraud, financial crime, and cyber risk. After beginning his career with Greater Manchester Police and later serving as Head of Fraud for Major Loss Adjusters, he founded PTC to advise insurers, banks, online retailers, and technology providers. He also contributes to documentaries and TV features, including the BBC’s Fraud Squad.
Aleks Ring
Fraud Prevention, Forensic accountant and Crypto Compliance
A forensic accountant and fraud examiner with a background in the military and intelligence community, specialising in financial crime, crypto investigations, and fraud risk management. I work closely with law enforcement and policymakers, and I am an active speaker and advocate for stronger protections against fraud and scams.
Cecilie Fjellhoy
Host of Love Con Revenge
Tinder Swindler
Co-Founder LoveSaid
Thrust into the public eye after sharing my story in VG’s original Tinder Swindler article and later the global Netflix documentary, I now use my background in IT and digital identity to advocate for fraud victims. Since 2019, I have spoken worldwide, working with organisations and policymakers to ensure victims’ voices help shape change.
Claire Thompson
CAAGE
CEO and Lead Campaigner
Individuals respond differently to different professionals, different treatments, different approaches, so do what’s right for YOU according to YOUR situation. CAAGe is here to help you identify what those things might be, not to recommend any fixed approach. We sincerely hope that you’ll find something useful in these pages.
Global Partners
AARS
Advocating Against Romance Scams, Kathy and her board and in the USA working hard to support victims and educate as well as effecting change in legislation.
Fake Love
Australia based website. After my own experience with a romance scammer, I decided to conduct an experiment by talking to real-time romance scammers from two fake accounts of mine. The result was a book!
Operation Shamrock
Erin West and her team are helping victims of ‘Pig Butchering’-the romance fraud/investment fraud hybrid. Tracing crypto, educating law enforcement and educating who ever will listen!
Who We Serve
Shaping Outcomes for Everybody
Society
Awareness starts at home. From friends to families to neighbours, we all play a part in challenging shame, spotting red flags, and creating space for survivors to speak without judgment.
Public Sector
Romance fraud is a public issue with private consequences. We need police, healthcare, and frontline services to recognise the signs, respond with empathy, and protect victims like any other target of abuse and crime.
Private Sector
Platforms, banks, and tech companies are part of the problem, and the solution. It’s time for prevention to be built in, not bolted on. Together, we can shut down the systems that criminals exploit.