Release Date: 10 Feb 25Host(s):Adam CarterLouise Baxter MBE (LouBax)Guest(s):Anna Rowe – Founder of LoveSaid and Catch the Catfish, romance fraud awareness campaignerEpisode Summary:In this powerful episode of the Consumer Friend Podcast, Adam and LouBax sit down with Anna Rowe, a leading voice in raising awareness about romance fraud. After experiencing it firsthand, Anna turned her trauma into action, creating Catch the Catfish and LoveSaid, two platforms dedicated to educating and supporting victims of online deception.Anna shares her story, shedding light on the manipulative tactics used in romance fraud, from emotional grooming to financial exploitation. The conversation highlights the psychological impact on victims, the growing role of AI in online deception, and why blaming victims needs to stop.Key TakeawaysThe Scale of Romance Fraud In 2023, over 7,660 cases of romance fraud were reported in England and Wales. Victims lost an average of £6,937, with the highest losses affecting those aged 65–74, averaging £13,123 per case. Anna’s Journey Anna shares her experience of being deceived by someone who created a completely fake identity.She explains how emotional grooming, love bombing, and coercion made her—and many others—become a victim.Understanding Romance FraudRomance fraud isn't just about financial loss—it’s a triple trauma: The loss of an intense, manipulated relationship.The realisation that the person never actually existed. The financial or emotional toll of the deception.Manipulation Tactics UsedLove bombing: Overwhelming attention and affection to create emotional dependency. Isolation: Cutting victims off from support networks.Guilt & control: Using fake crises (illness, financial trouble) to elicit sympathy and money.The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in FraudAI is making deception more sophisticated, from deepfake video calls to voice cloning.Criminals now use AI tools to personalise their messages and create more convincing fake identities.Why Victim Blaming Must StopVictims often struggle with shame and self-doubt after being deceived.Instead of asking, “Why did they fall for it?”, we should ask, “How did someone manipulate them so effectively?”Resources & Links:LoveSaid – Support for Romance Fraud VictimsCatch the Catfish – Awareness & EducationConsumer Friend Website – Learn more about fraud awareness and consumer protection.Let’s break the stigma and start the conversation! 🎙️Send us a textPlease like, subscribe and rate to help increase the reach in the UK. You can also follow us on socials: Facebook Website: Consumer Friend Twitter: @ConsumerFriendUK Instagram: @ConsumerFriendOfficial TikTok

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