Romance Scams on the Rise: Over £66 Million Lost to Online Love Frauds
Think you’ve met your dream partner online? Think again. Romance fraud is sweeping the UK, with scammers creating fake profiles to hook victims into what seems like a loving relationship – all to steal cash and personal info.
Lockdown Love Turns Deadly for Wallets
Between August 2019 and August 2020, Action Fraud logged over 400 romance scam reports every month, racking up losses beyond £66 million. That’s more than £10,000 lost per victim on average.
When lockdown hit in 2020, these scams surged. From June to August, monthly reports shot past 600, as fraudsters exploited isolation and loneliness during the pandemic.
Warning Signs: Spot the Scam Before It’s Too Late
- Love declarations come fast and heavy, with talk of marriage or buying a house early on.
- The “lover” often claims to work abroad—military or medical jobs are common excuses.
- Refusal to meet in person or video chat, pushing you to encrypted messaging apps.
- Requests for money, often framed as urgent or emotional emergencies.
- Insistence on keeping your relationship secret from friends and family.
- Photos that look suspicious or too perfect to be true.
Stay safe: Always stick to the dating site’s messaging service until you’re certain what you’re dealing with. If you get asked for cash, it’s a massive red flag.
Experts Speak Out: You’re Not to Blame
“These scammers are slick, using persuasive language to groom victims and squeeze money,” says Alison Wiles, Wiltshire Police Fraud Manager. “People blame themselves, but this is a highly sophisticated crime. No one should feel ashamed to report it.”
Alison adds that most victims in Wiltshire are women aged 40-49. Reports there rose 7% in six months—below the national average but still a worrying trend.
Top Platforms Where Scammers Lurk
The biggest hot spots for romance fraud are:
- Plenty of Fish
- Tinder
- Match.com
Police and Charity Plea: Report Suspects and Protect Others
“The internet’s brilliant for meeting people,” says Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson. “But con artists have dangled the pandemic lockdown as bait to squeeze money from vulnerable people – and that’s just not on.”
If you suspect someone is running a scam, report them ASAP. Call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit 123.
