Romance Scam Alert: Fraudsters Recruit Dating App Victims for Insurance Cheats
Romance fraud typically conjures images of individuals losing their life savings to deceptive partners met on dating sites, but a disturbing new trend is emerging. Scammers are now recruiting unsuspecting victims to participate in fake insurance claims, turning them into unwitting accomplices in criminal activities.
The Scam's Mechanics
In this scheme, fraudsters convince their romantic partners or dates to either falsely claim they witnessed a car accident or take out an insurance policy and file a bogus claim to secure a payout. The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB), a UK organisation representing insurers, reports that while several cases have been identified over the past year, many incidents likely go unreported.
Nicola Smith, intelligence and investigation manager at the IFB, explains that under-reporting may stem from the shame associated with the situation and the scam's unique nature. "The generic reason that it might be going under-reported is because of the shame around the situation," she says. "But also this tactic is different in that the target isn't being hugely financially impacted. They're not being asked for money. They're being asked to use their identity."
Real-World Consequences
Last year, a man named Nathan Atkins was sentenced to 20 months in prison at Bournemouth Crown Court for manipulating women he met on dating sites into staged car crashes. These women then made personal injury claims that insurers paid out on.
Although victims may not suffer direct financial losses, they face severe repercussions. Being complicit in such fraud can lead to placement on the insurance fraud register, making it extremely difficult to obtain future insurance policies and potentially damaging their credit scores. "What you're being targeted for is your identity," Smith emphasises. "And it's really important to know that if you're complicitly taking part in this, you are committing fraud along with them."
How the Fraud Unfolds
Scammers target individuals they believe can be persuaded to participate in fraud, regardless of their financial status. "You don't have to have lots of money to be a target of this scam because all they need is your identity," Smith notes. "What they want from you is your agreement to take part in a scam."
Victims might be asked to claim they witnessed an accident, were passengers in a vehicle during a crash, or sustained injuries from an incident. Often, fraudsters provide a script or detailed account for the victim to follow when interacting with insurers. "It could be just being arranged to answer a phone call from an insurer where they were asked 'Were you a passenger in this car?'" Smith says. "But ultimately, to be directly involved in the scam, you would be being asked to lie to an insurer."
Protective Measures
If someone on a dating app requests your involvement in illegal activities, report them immediately through the app's reporting features. Screenshots of suspicious conversations can be forwarded to the police and services like Report Fraud. The IFB operates Cheatline, a confidential online tool for reporting fraud.
Fraudsters often create a sense of urgency to pressure victims into hasty decisions. The IFB advises that if someone urgently needs your help, offer to contact emergency services. If they decline, be cautious and terminate the conversation.
