CASANOVA conmen are costing spinsters millions of pounds with their fake promises of love.

Police have launched a campaign to warn people of the dangers of falling victim to romance fraudsters after victims across Sussex lost £2,280,000 in just one year.

They say that 149 victims have reported having their money taken by people begging for money to pay for pretend family emergencies, flights over to see them, and other cock-and-bull tales.

The number of cases is worrying PC Bernadette Lawrie, who works to prevent financial abuse.

She said the average loss for the lovelorn is £18,700, and their average age is 62.

And four out of every five fraud attempts against them are succeeding.

Most cases start by lonely people being approached on Facebook or via email.

She said: “Romance fraud, although accounting for only one in ten of all fraud reports, is one of the most despicable crimes we see.

“The victims can be among the most challenging to deal with as they are often in denial that the fraudster they are in contact with is not genuine, until it is too late.

“Victims are targeted and exploited when they are at their most vulnerable and the complex tactics and deceitful tales that lure the victims into parting with such huge sums of money are quite astonishing.

“One of the most difficult conversations we have is telling a victim that not only will they not see their money come back but that the person they believe they are in a relationship with and are looking forward to a future with, is in fact a criminal posing under a false identity.”

Following the revelations, a video has been made by the Metropolitan Police to advise people on the dangers on online dating and the signs to look out for the fraudsters.

The video states that the fraudsters who use online or mobile phone dating applications often pressure victims to talk by phone or away from the application, so they can't be reported.

They do so to "avoid scrutiny" and while appearing to be perfect, they are hiding their darker side.

"They just want your money, not your love," the video warns.

Officers in Sussex have launched Operation Signature in a bid to curb the conmen and women.

Alongside Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne, Victim Support, and caseworkers, advice is being offered to help those who are “systematically targeted by criminals”.

Measure include changing phone numbers to ex-directory, contacting family members to suggest Power of Attorney, and re-directing calls and post.

Police said: “Never send or give money to anyone you don't know or trust. Check people are who they say they are. Don't share your personal information. Make decisions in your own time, and if in doubt phone a relative or a friend.”

For more information visit: www.sussex.police.uk/advice.