Three people have been arrested after fraudsters stole thousands of pounds from victims using dating apps.
Police launched an investigation after they were alerted to 21 fraud offences involving victims on dating apps, taking place between October 2019 and March 2020.
The suspects would pose as women and message the victims on the app.
They would then coax them to pay out thousands of pounds into a bank account.
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The amounts range from £17,000 to £20, with most victims losing around £3,000.
In one case, the victim made one payment and was messaged again by the offender asking for more money.
They were then threatened with violence.
Officers executed three dawn raids this morning in Gorton in connection to the fraud investigation, named Operation Sunbird.
Two men, aged 35 and 41, and one woman aged 35, were arrested on suspicion of fraud offences.
All three remain in custody.
Detective Sergeant Ian Thomas of GMP’s Specialist Fraud Investigation Unit said: “I would like to thank our officers involved in Operation Sunbird for making these arrests today despite the challenging climate we’re all facing.
"We now have a total of three people in custody due to the excellent work of our officers at GMP’s Specialist Fraud Investigation Unit.
“We’d urge anyone who thinks they have been a victim of this type of crime to report any suspicious messages or threats to police.
“Our officers are fully committed to ensuring the safety of people online across Greater Manchester and would advise residents to follow our guidance when using dating applications.”
Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 0074 , Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 /www.actionfraud.co.uk or the independent charity Crimstoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
