Wrecking ball: Brits lose £106m to online dating scams

Romance scams are still breaking the hearts – and bank balances – of Brits across the country as the number of incidents continues to rise, with fraudsters purloining more than £106m from victims in the past year, and that is only the ones who are not too ashamed to report it.

Despite regular warnings and widespread press coverage, the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau’s data reveals a near double-digit (9%) increase in romance fraud in the past 12 months, with 9,449 reports made in the 2024/25 financial year. It appears many of these are initiated on legitimate dating sites.

On average, victims lost £11,222 each – proof of the emotionally devastating and financially ruinous impact of these crimes.

The data also reveals that, for the second consecutive year, male victims slightly outnumber female victims. However, while more men reported cases, female victims tended to lose larger sums of money.

The 50-59 age group were particularly unlucky in love, experiencing the highest financial losses, totalling £22,108,334. This demographic is 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 tactic the City of London Police pointed to is called ‘love bombing,’ where fraudsters overwhelm victims with excessive affection, manipulation, and emotional control to create dependency.

Intelligence gathered by the City of London Police suggests that nearly twice as many female victims engaged with suspects for a year or more compared to males, suggesting that many fraudsters take a “slowly, slowly catchy monkey” approach.

While dating platforms have measures in place to detect and prevent fraudulent activity, scammers still manage to create fake profiles and target users looking for genuine connections. AI is also taking hold.

According to one recent study. Tinder was found to have the largest number of fake profiles, followed by Badoo and Plenty of Fish.

Detective superintendent Oliver Little at 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 For the second consecutive year, male victims have slightly outnumbered females, challenging outdated stereotypes about who is affected by these scams.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 judgement. 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 falling victim and bring those responsible to justice.”