Romance scams are both emotionally and financially damaging for victims and the popularity of online dating services has made it easier for criminals to target victims. This October is Romance Fraud month and police forces across the country are working together with partners to tackle this dreadful crime, with a combination of awareness raising and enforcement activity, co-ordinated by the City of London Police. The multi-agency campaign, running throughout October, aims to raise awareness of romance fraud and offer advice to help everyone protect themselves, following a 26 percent rise in reports to Action Fraud in the last year. The number of reports reached over 600 during June 2020, July 2020 and August 2020, indicating people may have met, and begun talking to, a romance fraudster during lockdown.
Registration Details:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8mFf3EU6RxWDZlFgpLiMDg
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. There will be opportunity for Q&A, please email us questions in advance, or use the facility on Zoom during the Webinar. We look forward to seeing you again on 14 October 2020 @ 17:00hrs
We have two panellists for this latest in our FWN Webinar series:
Dr Elisabeth Carter is Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Forensic Linguist at the University of Roehampton. Dr Elisabeth Carter is a criminologist and forensic linguist. Her work on romance fraud exposes the mechanics of how language is used to manipulate and exploit, and reveals the intricate balancing act between power and persuasion, credibility and vulnerability. Elisabeth disseminates her research through writing public-facing guidance, books and academic papers, and through speaking at academic, public, private and third sector conferences and events. She has made appearances talking about her research on Radio 4’s Thinking Allowed and BBC One’s For Love or Money. She uses her research to support law enforcement campaigns, inputting into public-facing fraud prevention literature; delivering practical strategies to disrupt the power of fraudulent communication and to safeguard people in positions of vulnerability.
George Kidd is Chief Executive/ co-founder Online Dating Association 2014-2020 (with 2 year gap in middle): Career in regulation, government and consumer protection:
Chief Commissioner Data and Marketing Commission
CEO Phonepay Services Authority(PhonepayPlus)
Chief Executive Senet Group for responsible gambling
Chair UKPAC Independent Lobbyist Register
Board member Council for Licensed Conveyancers, Fundraising Regulator
In Government:
Director at Cabinet office setting up and running Better Regulation Task Force/ BRTF Principles, Programme of parliamentary deregulation orders
Deputy Head Women’s/Equality Unit
Economic Secretariat Cab Office on set up of Food Standards Agency
British Consul, Chicago 1990-95
