‘We Were Victims Of Romance Fraud & Want To Spread Awareness’ | This Morning

According to recent data, romance scams increased by 30% last year and two people who know first hand the impact and trauma of these scams are Cecilie Fjellhøy and Anna Rowe. Celcilie, who features in the 2022 Netflix true crime documentary ‘The Tinder Swindler’ was conned out of £200,000 by a man she was dating, while Anna was exploited by a man she met online. Since their experiences the two women have set up a support platform and are calling for greater support for romance fraud victims. They join us in the studio to share their stories. 

Broadcast on 05/12/2023

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[Michael-K-Evans]

These centers should be world wide you guys do such a great thing for people and this recovery has restored a bit my faith in humanity. That there are good people out there doing stuff like this. Hats off to you, Sir. You're a blessing . Thank you for saving all those vulnerable victims and educating each & every one of us. Love you
*Claim back Justice* on the internet.

[annicesparks]

TEAM *CLAIM BACK JUSTICE* 💯, your approach and jobtelling is Genius and you're establishing yourself as a one of a kind communicator that I believe few have ever seen on this platform. And I think you definitely succeeded in making sense of it to the world! Keep up the good work my friend.👏🏼

[sandym]

I'm a single woman in her 60s. I'm really saddened that people (largely women it seems) keep behaving in this way. Yes, it's a romance scam - but why are people still falling this? It's all over the news. NEVER give a man money . . . . if you do it once and they don't repay any of it, and you give them more that is just dumb.

[JamesJohnAgar]

So why isn't the Tinder Swindler being extradited yet by the UK authorities?? Seems to have all gone very quiet.

[alisoncooper]

I'm sorry but I was a victim of this . He reckoned he was from the states . I was on the look out from day 1 and as soon as he started asking for money I said no and that was the end . Why are these women lured into it and so gullible .

[gabrielletanner]

They contact me and others on Facebook all the time e, and there are no pictures of ourselves. We campaign for animals. We've had generals In the USA, ha ha. Widowed or single usually with a child. The first one I came across engaged me in conversation (until I knew better) then asked if I could get his son a present (with my money) then I blocked him. Never, never send money. These people are in Africa, a lot of the time.

[alexbland]

That is just a vile thing to happen to anyone but there is so much social media about

[FXHEROS]

Never give out money when dating within the first 3 months there are people on dating websites that sign up just to get your money and they block your phone number and you never hear from them again the next day. When you say no they say just give me this much you feel you have to then another day they ask you for more and another day more. LOVE IS FREE is doesnt cost.

[FBICPS]

“He flew me on a private jet” that impressed her! - she was taken in by the lifestyle. If the same guy took her to McDonald’s she would walk away.

[wildnfree]

If you have known someone for a month or 6 weeks and they ask you for money, find someone else. I met a woman online, she was gorgeous, she could have been a model. She lived in London and was a business woman who was just about to close a big deal in Africa which would make her £100, 000 profit. Unfortunately when she was in Africa she hit a problem. Can I send her £5000, and she will give me £25, 000 when the deal closes and she comes back to England to see me. Then she asked for £2000 has she had managed to scrape together £3000. smh

[isyt]

I’ve followed Cecelia on insta since seeing the tinder swindler doc a year or so ago. It’s such a shame, she’s genuinely an adorable person, inside and out.

Hope she gets her money back and Simon gets the jail.

[hump]

I’m a 71 year old man who met a 28 year old Filipina and over the last three years have given her a huge amount of money… I did do a lot of video calls with her but never met her… don’t give money to someone you have never met …

[jimbojimbo]

When does this become fraud?

It seems like s huge lie but she willfully gave her money without any expectation of receiving anything back.

[bbmackev]

There aren’t organizations anywhere in the world to help victims that have been scammed.

[coldflu]

Fraud is a popular crime many lawmakers think is ethical.

[Boo-pvhn]

I was in a wheelchair at a young age I started dating a guy we got close, I woke up one morning my card was gone my bank had been raided and he left to another part of the country. No support no help, I didn’t give him my pin but he came with me when I got shopping as I need d someone to push me around, as I was in a wheelchair and he was standing he may well have seen the number with out me knowing. I was lest confused distraught ashamed and distrusting. I’ve been much make careful since, I even go to the event of hiding my bag from site where possible.

[sweetf.a.]

I get astounded with how blind people can be

[FBICPS]

These women fall in love with the lifestyle! They wouldn’t date him if he was the postman.

[hanafatimah]

Wow, unbelievable, similar story to me too involve money, coercive control, and very aggressive behaviour and losing my son in third month of pregranncy.

[krnstc]

Love seeing Rylan & Emma!! More please!!