RED CROSS

Every year, hundreds of Danes are exposed to dating scams. In the period 2019-2022 alone, there were reported 848 cases about this type of crime.

In total, the victims were defrauded of 91 million kroner. For the average victim, the loss was 130.000 kroner.

Cheating on a partner can lead to sadness and shame

Dating scams are carried out by cynical criminals who use fake social media profiles to build romantic relationships with their victims.

When the relationship is strong enough, the criminal uses the built-up trust and love to get the victim to send money, often under the pretext of an acute crisis.

That's why dating scams hurt so much when they're discovered. It's not just about the money the victims have been robbed of, but also the breach of trust they've experienced.

Due to the nature of the scam, many victims of dating scams experience a mix of multiple emotions at once, including anger, sadness, and shame.

It is important to talk to someone

If you have been the victim of dating scams, it is important that you talk to someone about it. At the Center against Financial IT Fraud, which focuses on contact scams, it is highlighted as one of nine pieces of advice in the event of dating cheating.

“It may seem impossible. But it helps to tell your story and ease your heart. It is important that you choose the right person to share your story with. You need to find someone you trust, who is a good listener and who will not judge you. You may want to start the conversation by saying that you need to talk to that person about something that is difficult for you to talk about and that you need that person to listen without judging you. If you don't think there is anyone in your network that you trust, you can, for example, go to your doctor or seek out one of the services we refer to,” type the center and refers, among others, to the Victim Advice Service.

The center also has its own hotline.