Police have issued a stark warning following a spate of scams reported on Thursday.
In one incident, a victim was cheated out of £21,000 in an online romance scam.
Another victim was conned out of £45,000 from someone claiming to be a broadband provider and a third lost £5,000 from a scammer pretending to be a bank.
PSNI Chief Superintendent Simon Walls is urging the people of Northern Ireland to be extra vigilant.
He said: “The threat of fraud, both online and offline, against the public is a constant focus for us and yesterday saw several incidents reported so I want to plead for people to be on the guard against possible scams. In total we received 32 reports and in seven cases monies were lost.
“This included one victim reported being swindled out of £21,000 in an online romance scam, another person conned out of £45,000 from someone claiming to be from a broadband provider and someone else losing £5,000 to a scammer pretending to be for the bank.
"There were other incidents reported which involved smaller sums but we understand that any amount of money lost or indeed any interaction with a scammer is a horrible experience for anyone.
"Scammers will employ a variety of means to swindle their victims. Scammers are creative and will do whatever they can to con people out of money.
“They don’t care who their victim is, they just want the money and will employ whatever tactic is necessary."
Chief Superintendent Walls wants everyone to take extra precautions to protect themselves from callous callers - "be sceptical and on your guard".
He added that if you think something is suspicious about the nature of the call, it usually is a scam.
Organisations will never cold call you to demand money or ask for payment in vouchers.
Chief Supt Walls added: “It’s also important that if you have older members of family, talk with them and tell them legitimate providers will never seek their personal details, such as banking information, over the phone. This is a really important conversation to have.
“Guarding your personal and banking details is essential. Never disclose them to any unauthorised person.”
Anyone concerned they have been a victim of a scam can either report the matter to Action Fraud via their website or by phoning 0300 123 2040.
Police can be contacted on the non-emergency number 101 or you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.
For further advice and information visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/scamwiseni or the ScamwiseNI Facebook page @scamwiseni.
