Advertise on podcast: Love Bombed

Vicky Pattison talks to author Becky Holmes who has turned the tables on scammers who pretend to be celebrities. They attempt to contact “Elon Musk” and recreate conversations with “Mick Jagger” and “Keanu Reeves” - all spelling and grammatic errors are the fraudsters own. If you have been affected by a scam or fraud, there's help available via bbc.co.uk/actionline on the 'Fraud & Scams" page. Statements from platforms featured: Instagram say that accounts that impersonate someone else are against their Community Guidelines and they remove them when brought to their attention. They say that they have added extra protections to the user’s genuine Facebook and Instagram accounts designed to tackle account impersonation. They say they don’t allow fraudulent activity and work closely with law enforcement to support investigations. X(formerly Twitter) say Impersonation is a violation of their rules. They say that you may not misappropriate the identity of individuals, groups, or organizations or use a fake identity to deceive others. They say when they receive an impersonation report, they will investigate the reported account to determine if it violates the X Rules. Accounts determined to be in violation of their Misleading and Deceptive identities policy will either be suspended or asked to update the account(s) so they no longer violate their policies. Presenter: Vicky Pattison. Producer: Emma Goswell. Sounds Producer: Paul Hilton. Online producer: Rachael Smith. Producer for You Tube: Paul Gay. Visualised Podcast Team: Amita Parekh, Ali Ali, Alicia Thursting, Andy Bosley, Chris House, David Kwan, Natasha Peach, Rafael Bujosa, Rob Grieve and The 44d team. Executive Producer: Kathryn Morrison.

A passionate love affair, a clash of cultures, was Michelle's relationship really a romance fraud? Have you been love-bombed? Tell us your story at [email protected]. Visit bbc.co.uk/actionline for help and support on issues raised in this series.

A lockdown friendship sent Suzanne and her business into a spin.

A betrayal by a friend dashes the retirement dream of former aid-worker Rod.

An online relationship with someone who seemed familiar threatened Fionna and her family.

Priya thought he was the love of her life, so why did he want her family heirlooms?

Vicky Pattison explores romance fraud, deception and mental manipulation with people who want to speak up to help expose this crime. Plus a bonus episode with author Becky Holmes who turns the tables on the scammers that lurk online pretending to be celebrities.

Sarah shares why she wanted to tell her story.

Exploring how technology can mask someone’s identity. Anna Rowe, LoveSaid website co-founder, shares how scammers are staying one step ahead. Featuring “This is not Morgan Freeman: A Deepfake Singularity”. Concept and deep fake by Bob de Jong. Freeman's voice is imitated by the Boet Schouwink.

A former scammer based in Nigeria shares his secrets about the world of West African romance fraud.

Follow DI Duncan Wynn from Thames Valley Police and his “high harm unit” as they investigate and support victims.

Sarah suspects something isn't quite right when she asks Alex for proof of his identity and he sends a passport in a different name. Contains themes of mental distress and suicide. Visit bbc.co.uk/actionline for sources of help and support.

Sarah is going to the airport to meet Alex for the very first time. He has sent her the details of his Lagos flight from Nigeria and Sarah is waiting in Arrivals full of anticipation and excitement.

Alex and Sarah get more intimate sharing sexy images, they also make birthday plans for Alex's 12-year-old daughter, Cassie. With insights from forensic linguist and criminologist Dr Elisabeth Carter of Kingston University.

Sarah is looking for a loving relationship outside family responsibilities, Alex and her share lots in common, with promises made to build a life together. Could this be love?