How falling for an online romeo conman can cost more than just money

AP Photo/Oded Balilty

Yesterday it was all about criminals using Facebook and Twitter to target homes for burglary, but today's focus is on another online scam, the romeo conman.

It's where a lonely heart meets someone online who seems their perfect match and, desperate for love, they fall for a convoluted tale of misfortune that means they just have to send money to their new-found friend. Lots of money.

In the worst cases, by the time the victim twigs that this is a scam, the online romeo has vanished, their bank account it empty and they are left as lonely as before.