A singleton looking for love was conned out of £150,000 in a lonely hearts scam by a cruel conwoman.
The victim, a 57-year-old man, was targeted by the fraudster and gradually isolated from his family and friends, say police.
She had told him she wanted to move to the UK so they could be together, but first she needed to renovate her home abroad to sell it and raise enough funds to move.
He was persuaded to send tens of thousands of pounds for the “work” to be completed.
North Wales Police say the conwoman also told the victim to pose as her husband - claiming she needed to be married to get her inheritance.
He ended up making “significant payments” for bogus legal fees to bank accounts to release the funds to the suspect.
Andy Dunbobbin, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, has issued an urgent scam warning to lonely men and women.
He said the force had received more than 100 reports of romance fraud last year.
But he fears it could be “just the tip of the iceberg" with some victims too embarrassed to contact the police.
Mr Dunbobbin said the increased isolation and loneliness caused by the pandemic had also led to a rise in romance fraud.
He said: “Being a victim of fraud can have a devastating and traumatic impact on peoples’ lives, often leaving them emotionally destroyed.
“The problem is that these scammers are incredibly plausible and have the gift of the gab so it is understandable that people can get taken in, particularly if they are feeling lonely.
“It’s therefore important for people to be on their guard for this kind of crime and not to be fooled by these smooth-talking swindlers whose only interest is fleecing their victims remorselessly.
“Over the past two years it’s understandable that due to the pandemic people have been feeling insecure and lonely which has increased this type of fraud.
“The pandemic has also provided fraudsters with the perfect excuses as to why they cannot meet their victims in person.
“I am urging anyone who is concerned they may have been a victim to seek help and support.”
Victims can now call the 159 hotline being trialled by Stop Scams UK - which is aiming to be the "999 for fraud."
