With Valentine's Day this weekend, people are being urged to stay alert for romance fraud.
Bank of Ireland says scams are on the rise, with almost double the number of cases reported to it last year compared to 2024.
She says: “Romance fraudsters are deeply manipulative. They often create tragic backstories - a dying relative, illness, or financial crisis - to win sympathy.
"The key message is simple - never send money to someone you’ve only chatted to online.
“Real relationships take time to build, but scammers will profess undying love quickly.
"If an online relationship is moving too fast and suddenly involves money, it’s likely to be fraud.
"Much of this type of fraud starts through social media platforms, so these companies need to play their part in shutting it down quickly.”
The bank have some tips on how to protect yourself, including - be cautious with new online relationships, never send money to someone you haven’t met face‑to‑face, be wary if they avoid video calls or repeatedly cancel plans to meet, and notice inconsistencies in their stories.
They have also included a reminder that celebrities do not message fans asking for money.
