Fraudsters are taking advantage of the increasing popularity of dating apps.
Gardaí in the midlands are warning the public to be on the look out for romance scams.
More than €7 million has been stolen from the victims of romance-fraud in the past five years.
The highest reported loss by a woman in Ireland was over €450,000 stolen in 18 transactions, while one man had more than €380,000 taken.
Crime Prevention Officer for Laois and Offaly, Sergeant Graham Kavanagh, says it’s not just an issue in Dublin:
