New Dorset police fraud protection officer Damian Cranny says he hopes to help staggering £20.5 million lost in the country to fraud over the past 12 months

A STAGGERING £20.5m has been lost in Dorset to fraud over the past 12 months, but according to the county’s new fraud protection officer that figure could be a whole lot more.

Damian Cranny says that the vast majority of swindles go unreported.

“Fraud, it’s huge and it’s increasing,” he said. “But 85% of fraud is not reported to authorities.

"People are not gullible, and they are not stupid.

"They are are not reporting it because they feel embarrassed and ashamed but scammers and fraudsters are very clever people – they are skilled at what they do.”

Mr Cranny says a major part of his work will be to “raise awareness and protect” victims across the county.

He wants to “empower the people of Dorset to avoid becoming victims”, he explained, adding: “The message is to arm yourself, protect yourself, and if you do become a victim know that the police are here to help you, not judge you.”

He said people need to be aware that fraudsters are very skilled; for example, studying social engineering which helps them lure people in and manipulate them into giving them what they want.

He said: “Like with romance fraud, the only thing the poor victim is doing wrong is loving somebody. They have gone on a dating site, or similar, and met someone they feel is genuine.”

Scammers may have taken “lessons” on secret forums from other fraudsters on how to con people, revealed Mr Cranny. This can include what language to use or when to introduce money issues.

Mr Cranny told the A&T: “In the beginning they ‘love-bomb’ someone, sending them flowers, presents, using emotive language. For a lonely person it makes them feel special.

“As the relationship builds up it even has a chemical effect on the body – hormones are released which gives someone a feel-good factor.

“When they feel the time is right, the scammer will start asking for money. By now their victim trusts them.

“When they realise they have been duped, it is devastating.

“They have not only had a crime committed against them but had all their hopes of a romance shattered.”

Mr Cranny acknowledges it can be hard to report scammers, but he urges people to do so not only for themselves but to protect others.

Despite all the warnings about scams from banks and other companies, Mr Cranny says it is all too easy for people to fall victim to such crimes.

“There are lots of messages out there about what not to do, but from the moment we get up our brain gets about 10,000 messages a day and it has to filter them,” he said.

“One of the best ways of changing our behaviours and learning is by getting involved ourselves.”

To this end he is working on several projects to help people recognise a scam. One of them is a competition to write a short “cautionary tale”.

He explained: “In the old days before social media, we had fairy tales and fables. These were stories designed to pass on information in communities and give warnings.

“These stories stick in peoples’ heads. So, I am asking the people of Dorset to come up with a cautionary tale that is empowering but does not have a fear factor.”

He is also organising a ‘Big Girls Night In’ aimed at teaching women how to spot a potential romance fraudster.

It involves a get together at which an online information pack is used to spot warning signs on dating apps and social media.

Mr Cranny said: “I want it to be fun but informative. Get drinks in, snacks.

"Although it is light-hearted, It may also result in someone realising that they are actually in a romance scam.”

It is just one initiative he plans to introduce to help protect people.

What he really wants, he says, is for the people of Dorset to "educate themselves and let the scammers out there know they are on to them".