Day 5: Reporting
Romance fraud isn’t just a scam. It’s a form of coercive, relationship-based abuse.
And yet, too often, it falls between legal cracks, dismissed as “poor judgement” or “not a police matter.”
This day exists to change that.
We’re calling on policing, justice, safeguarding, other legal organisations, and front-line responders to recognise the real trauma, criminal complexity, and emotional grooming involved in romance fraud – and to respond with empathy, urgency, and consistency.
We have some incredible officers already providing best practice. There are some incredible toolkits and guidance from organisations already helping victims the right way. Let’s celebrate these achievements and make them reality for all victims.
What’s Happening on Law Enforcement Day:
Resource: “Trauma-Informed Response to Romance Fraud”
- Downloadable guides for police, caseworkers, and legal advisors.
- Helps first responders understand hot states, grooming, trauma bonding, and why victims may not present as expected.
- Includes sample scripts and the importance of using the right language for non-blaming victim interviews.
New Resource: “Reclaiming Clarity”
- Toolkit to help work through possible ways of identifying fraudulent profiles as evidence
- Tools to grab IP addresses
- AI checkers
- Questions to ask without alienating the victim further
Coercive Control Meets Financial Fraud
- Explores legal parallels between romance fraud and domestic abuse.
- Includes policy references and examples of progressive prosecutions in the UK and abroad.
- Download materials from the National Trading Standards and support their #NoBlameNoShame campaign
Encouraging Culture Shift
Victims of romance fraud are often met with disbelief or scorn, sometimes from the very systems meant to protect them. But this isn’t about placing blame. It’s about equipping responders with the right tools and trauma-informed mindset to lead with compassion and credibility.
Your Role in Raising the Standard
Whether you’re a neighbourhood officer, cybercrime unit, CPS lawyer, or family court worker, you are not powerless. When law enforcement sees victims as victims, not fools, trust is rebuilt and justice becomes possible.
Day 5 question: What happens when a victim finally says: “I need help”?
WHO SAW IT?
Who saw what happened when they finally asked for help?
By the time a victim reports romance fraud, they aren’t simply reporting a payment.
They’re trying to explain a relationship.
A relationship built on deception.
Months of manipulation.
Trust.
Hope.
Fear.
And sometimes financial devastation.
What did the person reporting actually need? They often do not understand who the criminals are behind the crime or how they became the person in this experience.
What did the person receiving the report see?
Listen to these amazing officers and best practice:
Happening around the country to Protect and Prevent.
Prevent and protect officers work tirelessly with volunteers to spread awareness and educate about Romance Fraud (and other crimes!). Here are some of them in action for their Romance Fraud Awareness Campaigns!
