Thinking about romance fraud might not be top of your priorities this Valentine's Day, but Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has nonetheless emphasised the importance of keeping it in mind, particularly on a day like today. 

"People looking for love online are warned to be alert for romance scammers this Valentine's Day", police said. 

It comes as the BBC reports a 60% increase in reports of romance fraud over the past four years, with an estimated £75m defrauded in 7,660 cases last year. 

Most commonly, scammers prey on victims by posing as somebody else and building a relationship.

The scammer may then ask for money, using a range of seemingly legitimate excuses: they are trapped and need money for travel, or maybe a family member needs money for medical care.

They may ask for money, loans, investments, or high-value gift cards.

Officers in GMP's Economic Crime Unit emphasised the importance of reporting incidents of romance fraud - particularly since cases are often underreported.

As part of these efforts, police shared a story from a man elsewhere in Greater Manchester, whose sister, Alice, sent £20,000 to a romance scammer she'd met online. 

Mock-up of messages sent between Alice (green) and the scammer (grey) (Image - GMP)

Alice, who was 81 when this began, thought she had fallen in love with a man she met via an online scrabble game. 

The pair initially got on well and seemed to have a lot in common. He requested they move the chat to an external platform where the relationship got more intense and the requests for money began.

Alice's family fear that the scammer would have taken everything had they not intervened sooner. 

"Victims of romance fraud often find it hard to speak to people about their experiences", a GMP spokesperson said. "Feelings of guilt or shame [...] can make reporting this type of crime low and repeat victimisation high."

Detective Sergeant Stacey Shannon, of GMP's Economic Crime Unit, said: "I want to stress the importance of people reporting romance fraud. 

"The effects that romance fraud can have on its victims should not be underestimated. 

"There is often significant financial loss, loss of self-worth, loss of confidence, loss of trust and declines in mental health.

"Fraudsters prey on vulnerable individuals who have often gone through a traumatic experience such as recently bereaved, they manipulate their victims for months. 

"And no matter how long you have been speaking to someone online, never send them any money, no matter the amount of pressure they put on you."

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