Romance fraud is one of the most devastating crimes in the UK — not just financially but emotionally. UK victims lost £92 million last year and the true figure is likely much higher since most victims are too embarrassed to report it.
Romance scammers are not opportunists — they are professional criminals who spend weeks or months carefully building trust before stealing everything you have.
Before a romance scammer makes contact they already know who you are. They purchase personal data from data broker websites — your name, age, location and sometimes relationship status. They target people who are most likely to be lonely or vulnerable.
They then create a fake profile on dating sites, social media or even WhatsApp and make contact with a carefully crafted opening message designed to appeal to you specifically.
Stage 1 — The approach: They contact you with a flattering message. Their profile shows an attractive, successful person — often claiming to be a doctor, engineer, soldier or businessperson working abroad.
Stage 2 — Building trust: They invest heavily in the relationship — messaging daily, calling regularly, remembering details about your life. They seem almost too good to be true.
Stage 3 — The crisis: After weeks or months they reveal an emergency — a medical bill, a business deal gone wrong, travel costs to come and meet you. They need money urgently and promise to pay it back.
Stage 4 — Escalation: Each payment leads to another crisis. They may even send small gifts or payments first to build further trust before the larger requests.
Stage 5 — Disappearance: Once they have taken as much as possible they disappear — often blocking all contact instantly.
Reverse image search: Save their profile photo and upload it to images.google.com. If it appears on stock photo sites or other profiles it is fake.
Video call insistence: Always insist on a live video call before developing any feelings. If they refuse or always have excuses they are not who they claim to be.
Never send money: No matter how convincing the story never send money to someone you have not met in person. This is the single most important rule.
1. Stop all contact immediately — Block them on all platforms.
2. Do not send any more money — Even if they threaten or plead.
3. Report to Report Fraud — Call 0300 123 2040 or visit reportfraud.police.uk.
4. Contact your bank — If you have sent money contact your bank immediately.
5. Talk to someone you trust — Romance fraud is deeply embarrassing but it happens to intelligent people every day. Tell someone you trust.
6. Remove your personal data — Romance scammers find their victims using personal data from broker sites. Removing your data reduces your risk of being targeted again.
Remove your personal data from the sites scammers use to find their victims
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