BESTSELLING author Becky Holmes is joining a romance fraud expert from Essex Police for what is predicted to be an entertaining and informative event at Grays library next week.

Becky shot to prominence with her book 'Keanu Reeves Is Not In Love With You'. It features interactions with fraudsters pretending to be everyone from Prince William to US peacekeeping solidiers, and has got rave reviews on both sides of the Atlantic.

As well as delivering big laughs, Becky shared the real-life stories of people who'd been lured in by the scammers and lost substantial amounts of money.

Her blend of humour and empathy is credited with helping reduce stigma around being defrauded and raising awareness in a highly engaging way.

Becky will be sharing the stage with Essex Police's David Gillies and Action Fraud's Sara McParland who lead the Essex Romance Fraud Peer Support Group that has helped people across the county to recover after being targeted.

Across Essex, there have been 231 reports of romance fraud in the past 12 months with losses totalling £3.2m – an average of almost £14,000 per victim. The largest age group affected are between 60 and 69.

Becky says: "Romance fraud really is one of the most emotionally devastating crimes out there, and yet so few of us really know what happens and how it has become so lucrative for fraudsters.

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"By being part of these informal events across Essex and sharing some stories from my book, I hope more people will become interested in what really is a fascinating and highly sophisticated crime."

Mr Gillies added: "Romance fraud is a complex psychological crime. The fraudsters establish emotional bonds and then use that relationship to manipulate their targets into handing over money.

"We believe romance fraud may be significantly underreported. I'd encourage everyone to attend an event as you will learn the red flags to look out for and hear some incredible stories.

"The more people know about romance fraud, the more they can do to protect themselves against it."

The event at Grays Library in the Thameside complex on Orsett Road is on Wednesday, 24 September from 5.30pm-7pm

Similar events will take place at Westcliff Library, Southend, on Tuesday, 23 September from 6pm-7.30pm and Chelmsford Library on Thursday 25 September from 5.30pm-7pm

Entry is free to all and there is no need to book. Becky will also be signing copies of her book after each of the events.