More than £106 million lost in the last year within the UK to romance fraud.

New figures from City of London Police, the National Lead Force for fraud, show that more than £106 million was lost to romance fraud in the UK last year, as the number of victims continues to rise. 

Data from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) reveals a disturbing 9% increase in romance fraud reports in the past year, with 9,449 reports made in the 2024/25 financial year. On average, victims lost £11,222 each—proof of the emotionally devastating and financially ruinous impact of these crimes.

Detective Inspector Duncan Wynn, Head of Central Fraud Unit at Thames Valley Police, said:

              “Fraudsters continue to exploit manipulative tactics to their advantage. 

Finding love is understandably a very personal matter, but we need to heighten our collective understanding of how romance fraud works to strengthen our wall of defence. 

Isolation is a key tactic used to cut off victims from sources of support meaning there are less opportunities for a different perspective other than the fraudster’s own.

Are you speaking to someone online who is encouraging you to back away from family and friends? (Even though they have never met them?)

Have they expressed a negative opinion about you doing anything that doesn’t involve them?

Does the contact seem intense, with extreme declarations of love at odds with the short time you have been speaking to each other?

Whilst it is natural to expect a heightened level of intensity at the start of any relationship, there are subtle signs of control which demonstrate the fraudsters’ tactics do not align with what a healthy relationship looks like. 

For those not looking for love, we still have a role to play in looking out for our family/friends/colleagues who may be looking for love. 

Do you know someone who has mentioned they have started to talk to someone online?

Does it seems to have taken over their life, to the detriment of all other interests?

Keeping the connection open is key to counteracting isolation. 

Learn more about the clever tactics used in our e-book - A guide to spotting romance fraudsters | Thames Valley Police 

If you, or someone you know has been targeted, please take a look at our It wasn't you fault, Romance fraud-a practical support guide”

Detective Superintendent Oliver Little, from the City of London Police, said:

"Romance fraud isn’t just a financial crime—it’s a deeply personal betrayal that can leave lasting emotional scars. For the second consecutive year, male victims have slightly outnumbered females, challenging outdated stereotypes about who is affected by these scams.

“Despite this, stigma still surrounds romance fraud victims, often driven by misconceptions that they are foolish or lack judgment. In reality, criminals use sophisticated tactics to manipulate emotions and gain trust, making anyone vulnerable.

“We want to remind everyone that romance fraud can happen to anyone, regardless of gender or background. If something doesn’t feel right in an online relationship, take a step back, verify identities, and seek advice. Speaking up can not only protect yourself, but also help prevent others from being and bring those responsible to justice."

Breaking outdated stereotypes, data reveals that—for the second consecutive year—male victims slightly outnumber female victims, challenging the misconception that romance fraud primarily targets elderly women. However, while more men reported cases, female victims tended to lose larger sums of money. This is likely due to the prolonged engagement with fraudsters, who manipulate emotions over extended periods.

The 50-59 age group experienced the highest financial losses, totalling £22,108,334. This demographic is particularly vulnerable as they often have greater financial resources, are still in the workforce, and may be experiencing personal life changes such as divorce, separation, or the loss of a partner, making them prime targets for fraudsters.

One key tactic used by scammers is ‘love bombing’, where fraudsters overwhelm victims with excessive affection, manipulation, and emotional control to create dependency. Intelligence gathered by City of London Police suggests that nearly twice as many female victims engaged with suspects for a year or more compared to males, indicating a reluctance to believe they’ve been deceived.

Romance fraud isn’t just about losing money—it’s about emotional betrayal, psychological harm, and the erosion of trust. City of London Police urges the public to question suspicious relationships, verify identities, and protect both their hearts and their bank accounts.

How to stay safe from romance fraudsters:

It is important that no matter how long you’ve been speaking to someone online and how much you think you trust them, if you have not met them in person, it’s important that you do not: