Romance scams are increasing - how to stay safe

Romance scams are on the rise, and the tactics are getting more sophisticated. Earlier this year, a group of scammers in the UK were convicted for laundering £3.25 million stolen through romance scams which targeted 40 victims across dating apps and social media.

Then, in September, the infamous Tinder Swindler got arrested in Georgia after romance scams amounting to more than £7 million. Simon Leviev had posed as the wealthy heir of a diamond mogul to convince women to lend him money which he never repaid.

Globally, romance scams cost victims nearly £1 billion in 2024 alone. Scammers are increasingly using AI-generated profiles, deepfake videos and chatbots to make their stories more convincing.

Romance scams are on the rise in 2025

New data from Lloyds Bank shows people are still falling for scams in the UK. The average victim lost £5,219 last year. The data also revealed that:

• for people aged 55 and over, cases increased by around 52% compared to the previous year
• people between 55-64 were the most targeted group making up 20% of all victims
• there was a 20% increase in scams affecting victims aged between 35 to 44

It seems romance scams are affecting people across all age demographics. But understanding what romance scams look like is the first step to protecting ourselves.

What is a romance scam?

A romance scam is when someone pretends to be romantically interested in you to gain your trust and eventually your money.

You can find romance scammers on dating apps, social media, and even gaming platforms. Once they’ve built an emotional connection with you, they’ll start asking for money, usually for an “emergency”.

How AI is making it harder to spot romance scams

AI is making it easier than ever for scammers to convince you they’re genuine.

In the past, romance scammers might steal someone else’s photos, write poorly written messages riddled with obvious grammar and spelling mistakes, and avoid video conversations that would reveal they're a different person.

But, with AI, scammers can:

• create realistic profile pictures using generative tools
• write fluent, emotionally charged messages using chatbots
• create deepfake videos and voice notes making interactions feel real

With this tech, it’s harder than ever to detect scammers, so it’s unsurprising we’re seeing a rise in this type of fraud.

How to identify romance scams

Even with the advent of AI, there are still tell-tale signs that can help identify a romance scam.

For example, romance scammers often pretend they have certain jobs to explain why they can’t meet in person. These include:

• military personnel stationed overseas
• oil rig workers with poor signal
• doctors, engineers or business owners working abroad

After they’ve spent considerable time gaining your trust, they will likely make up excuses to ask for money. Some common excuses include:

• medical emergencies, for example they might have been in a car accident or suffered a sudden illness
• travel costs, for example for plane tickets to visit you
• legal or financial issues, for example they might claim to have business problems, or to need help with customs fees and taxes

Other red flags you should watch out for include:

• love bombing; they might show intense affection early on, making grand promises about marriage just weeks into knowing you
• moving off-platform quickly; they might ask you to move off the dating apps and on to WhatsApp or email
• avoiding video calls; if they’re always making an excuse not to video call, this is a red flag
• little inconsistencies; if their stories don’t add up, you should get suspicious
• isolation tactics; they might ask you to keep the relationship a secret, as your friends and family might rightfully raise concerns

How to protect yourself from a romance scam

It’s always best to exercise caution when you’re starting an online or long-distance relationship. Here are some tips that can help you protect yourself from romance scams:

• verify their identity – insist on a live video call, it’s much harder to fake
• take your time – don't rush into emotional or financial commitments, in other words don’t get swept up in the moment
• check if their stories add up – would a successful businessman really need you to pay for his economy plane ticket to come see you?
• never share personal or banking details – don't share information that could mean they can impersonate you and access your money
• be very suspicious of any money requests – it’s best to tell them you simply don’t have the money to help

It’s easy to get swept up in the moment, but if you exercise caution and follow these tips, it makes it much less likely you’ll be a victim of a romance scam.

What to do if you’ve been scammed

A lot of people fall victim to these scammers. Unfortunately, technology advances can make it very hard to work out if someone is being genuine or not.

If you have been a victim of a romance scam, the best thing you can do is contact your bank immediately to let them know and see if they can offer any assistance.

Then, report the scam to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk. If you're in Scotland, you should report the scam to the police by calling 101.