Vicky Pattinson returns with BBC scam series Love Bombed
Geordie celebrity Vicky Pattinson is following up her Channel 4 deepfake documentary with the third series of her romance fraud series, Love Bombed.
The series has been running since 2023 on BBC Sounds, featuring stories from people up and down the country who lost money to someone they thought loved them. Host Vicky Pattison said that “Romance fraud is a particularly cruel crime, preying on people’s trust and emotions in the most intimate of ways."
The methods romance fraudsters use can vary, "hidden behind carefully crafted lies and manipulation, making it incredibly difficult to spot until it’s too late." Nearly £95 million was lost to romance fraud between 2023 and 2024, so the speaker on the first episode is far from alone, though it may not ease the sting.
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Priya, who is the focus on the first episode of the new series, said that at the start of her relationship, they seemed to have so much in common. They were both home birds, they shared a culture and thought family and friends were important. But then requests for money began, only modest amounts at first but then becoming thousands. Eventually, the fraudster had stolen more than £100,000.
Priya said: “I didn’t realise this was a scam. I thought romance scams only happened online. They didn’t happen face to face so for me it didn’t feel like a scam until I stopped talking to him and started reflecting. I guess I was in a really bad state and I’m not going to deny that but I knew there was only one way up and that was to get justice.”
In episode 4, Vicky speaks to Suzanne in Hertfordshire, who almost lost her heart, home and hairdressing business to the fraudster she met. However, it was one lie too many about his health that was to catch him out. She has since fought to get back the £20,000 she gave him and wants others to hear her story as a warning.
Suzanne said: “There is not enough support for victims like us, or I prefer survivors. It’s a very lonely crime because you honestly feel like you’re the only one. When I went through it I was 36. How many 36-year-olds do you see on TV that this is happened to.”
The issue is one that is only on the rise, with cases reported going up by 60% over the course of four years. As online dating becomes the most common way for people to meet and connect, the risks have never been greater.
Pattinson added that she’d "like to thank all the brave contributors who have shared their stories and trusted us with their experiences. By shedding light on this issue, we hope to empower others who may be going through something similar to recognise the signs, seek help, and find the courage to speak out. No-one should suffer in silence.”
Crimestoppers have a page to help give more advice, and limit the people who are affected by this crime.
Loved Bombed Presents: ’Betrayed’ is a BBC Local production for BBC Sounds, the full series is available now on BBC Sounds.