Victim support service helps Nottinghamshire man recover after romance fraud ordeal
A Nottinghamshire man who lost £35,000 in a devastating romance fraud has spoken about the life saving support he received from Nottinghamshire Victim CARE.
64-year-old Colin, who is deaf, was contacted on social media by someone targeting him as part of a scam.
What began as a seemingly genuine connection quickly developed into what he thought was a loving relationship.
Over time, the individual fabricated a story about a bereavement and began asking for financial help.
Trusting the scammer, Colin sent significant sums of money before realising he had been a victim of fraud.
After coming forward, Colin accessed support through Nottinghamshire Victim CARE, a free and confidential service funded through the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottingham, that provides tailored assistance to victims of crime.
Through the service, Colin was able to speak with a trained victim support professional who offered emotional support, practical advice, and guidance on coping with the impact of the crime.
Colin said: "Without the support of Victim Care and the Police I don't think I would be here today.
"When I was first the victim of fraud I felt embarrassed and because I'm deaf, I thought there would be too many barriers for me to tell my story.
"But after speaking with different support services I realised that there are options out there, and I'm one of many to have gone through something like this.
"I hope that seeing my story will give others encouragement to seek the help they need, and realise that you don't have to go through this alone."
Romance fraud, also known as dating scams, involves criminals manipulating victims into emotional relationships to exploit them financially. Offenders often go to great lengths to build trust, making these crimes particularly distressing and impactful.
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden said: "Fraud can have a devastating impact on victims, affecting not only their finances but also their confidence, wellbeing and sense of trust.
"Cases like Colin's show just how important it is that people know they are not alone and that support is available when they need it most.
"Too often, victims of fraud and scams suffer in silence because they feel embarrassed or believe no one will understand what they have been through. The reality is that these criminals are highly manipulative, and anyone can become a victim.
"That is why services such as Nottinghamshire Victim CARE are so important. They provide a safe place for people to turn, offering practical help, emotional support and reassurance at what can be an incredibly difficult time.
"We are committed to ensuring victims across Nottinghamshire have access to the help they need to recover and move forward with their lives."
Data from Report Fraud showed that in the 13 months leading up to April 2026, a total of 7,705 reports of fraud were recorded within the Nottinghamshire Police force area, with a total of £24.5 million in reported losses.
Of these reports, approximately 4.2% were recorded as romance fraud, with 272 reported incidents. A total of £1.7 million reported losses were recorded for romance fraud reports.
Demographic data showed that 55% of individual victims of romance fraud identified as male, and more than half of all victims recorded were over the age of 50.
Two thirds of victims of romance fraud in Nottinghamshire requested support from Nottinghamshire Victim CARE following the report.
The service focuses on empowering victims to recover at their own pace, ensuring support is delivered in a way that suits individual needs.
Martina Colombo, adult caseworker at Nottinghamshire Victim CARE, said: "Working with Colin was a very valuable learning experience for me.
"As one of my first service users, I initially felt worried about whether I would be able to provide him with the level of support he needed, especially as English is not my first language and I feared this might create additional barriers.
"However, Colin taught me a lot. He showed me that, even when challenges exist, it is possible to find ways around them and still deliver effective and meaningful support."
The service is part of the Nottinghamshire Fraud Partnership, a collaboration of organisations working together to prevent fraud, respond to incidents, and support victims.
It is available to all victims of crime in Nottinghamshire, whether or not the incident has been reported to the police.
Support and Reporting Information:
- Nottinghamshire Victim CARE can be contacted on 0800 304 7575 or via their website.
- The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding Bank Holidays).
- Outside these hours, victims can contact the national Victim Support helpline on 0808 168 9111.
If you have been a victim of fraud:
- In an emergency where there is immediate danger, call 999.
- Non-emergency incidents should be reported to Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime.
- To report anonymously, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
- For advice and guidance, visit the Nottinghamshire Police website to be directed to the appropriate support.