More than £106m* was lost to romance fraud in the UK in 2024/25 financial year, as figures show the number of victims continues to rise. According to recent data from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB), there has been a 9% increase in romance fraud reports with 9,449 recorded. On average, victims lost £11,222 each - proof of the emotionally devastating and financially ruinous impact of these crimes. *Source: crimestoppers-uk.org
In response to these shocking statistics, Arc has developed Secret Love – an engaging and poignant interactive theatre programme designed to help raise awareness of romance and friendship scams, and to prevent the vulnerable in our community from being financially exploited through targeted emotional manipulation.
Secret Love uses the story of widower John to highlight situations whereby perpetrators use technology and social media to take advantage of the isolation and vulnerability of their victim in order to build trust. Scammers recognise that loneliness and grief is often a component in the lives of older adults, and cleverly use language to manipulate, persuade and exploit. Scammers are adept in stealing money, property, identity, confidence and wellbeing, and make sure that when they ask for urgency or secrecy from the victim, it doesn’t raise alarm bells...
Secret Love highlights the tactics fraudsters use, how easy it is to fall victim, how to spot potential scams, and where to turn for support if you or someone you know may have been scammed.
If you’d like to talk to us about how to engage your audience on issues that really matter, please contact nita@arctheatre.com or call 07483 342158.
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