Romance fraud is one of the most devastating crimes in the UK — not just financially but emotionally. UK victims lost £102 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.
Silent Guard checks any UK number against 30,000+ official Ofcom registered ranges and a live community database of scam reports. No signup, no cost, instant result.
🔍 Check a Number FreeEvery number reported protects someone else
Remove your personal data from the sites scammers use to find their victims
Found this helpful? Share it and help protect others