The Cheshire Constabulary issued a public warning to residents in Macclesfield and the wider Cheshire area on February 12, 2026, to help people identify and avoid romance scams ahead of Valentine’s Day. Police officers are highlighting a sophisticated rise in “lonely hearts” fraud, where criminals use fake profiles to build trust before soliciting money or personal information.
In a significant shift for 2026, scammers are increasingly using generative artificial intelligence to create realistic fake voices and videos, making it harder for victims to identify red flags during video calls. These criminals often manufacture a fake crisis, such as a medical emergency or travel issues, or present “sure-fire” investment opportunities involving cryptocurrency to convince people to send funds via bank transfers or gift cards.
PC Jim Day from the Cheshire Police Economic Crime Unit (ECU) warned that scammers often exploit deep-seated insecurities to gain trust over prolonged periods, a tactic known as “love bombing.” He advised that a major red flag is when someone asks to move a conversation from a dating app to a private messaging service like WhatsApp within the first few days of contact.
Research from Action Fraud shows that these scams have cost people in the North West more than £36 million. National losses reached £106 million in the previous reporting year, with residents over the age of 55 statistically losing the highest amounts of money.
Residents who suspect they are being targeted should report the activity to Action Fraud at 0300 123 2040. Macclesfield’s Neighbourhood Policing Teams are also sharing this advice through local community hubs and the Cheshire Police Alert system to help protect the public from financial loss.
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