Britons warned romance fraud is rising as AI scams and social engineering fuel record losses
Romance fraud is becoming harder to spot, and recent UK warnings suggest the problem is worsening. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said romance fraud cases rose by 9% in the latest year it reviewed, with losses of more than £106 million in the UK in the 2024/25 financial year. The FCA also said 85% of cases start online, often on social media or dating websites. (fca.org.uk)
That matters because fraudsters are now using better social engineering and, increasingly, AI tools to make fake profiles, messages and stories more believable. The National Cyber Security Centre says AI can be used to produce more convincing scam emails and other deceptive content, while the FCA says advances in AI and technology are helping drive a renewed rise in fraud more broadly. (ncsc.gov.uk)
What happened
The latest UK updates show romance fraud is still a major and growing issue. Action Fraud says romance fraud involves criminals creating fake online personas to gain trust and affection, then exploiting victims financially. It warns that fraudsters use language designed to manipulate and persuade, and often demand urgency or secrecy when asking for money. (actionfraud.police.uk)
The FCA’s 2025 review found that victims were often deeply emotionally invested, which made them less likely to disclose the true reason for payments. In nearly half of the cases reviewed, victims did not tell their bank the real reason when asked. (fca.org.uk)
Why it matters
Romance fraud is not just a financial crime. Action Fraud says victims can also lose a partner, a support system and the future they believed they had, and the emotional impact can be long-lasting. For almost a third of those targeted, the fraud lasts more than a year. (actionfraud.police.uk)
The money losses are significant too. The FCA says average losses were estimated at £11,222 per victim in 2024/25, and one case it reviewed involved a loss of more than £428,000. (fca.org.uk)
There is also a wider warning for anyone using dating apps, social media, messaging platforms or online investment groups: if scammers can build trust, they can also push victims into sending money, sharing bank details, or moving conversations to less visible channels. (actionfraud.police.uk)
Who may be affected
Anyone can be targeted, but some groups may be more exposed:
- People using dating apps or social media to meet partners. (fca.org.uk)
- People who are lonely, recently bereaved, separated, or going through a major life change. This is an inference based on how fraudsters build trust and isolation; Action Fraud says victims are often left alone and vulnerable through isolation tactics. (actionfraud.police.uk)
- Older adults and people who may be less confident checking whether profiles, images or messages are genuine. The FCA’s wider fraud work also shows older consumers are often heavily targeted by impersonation scams. (fca.org.uk)
- Anyone who is persuaded to move quickly into private messaging, cryptocurrency, “urgent” payments, or investment opportunities. (actionfraud.police.uk)
Warning signs to watch for
Romance fraud often follows a familiar pattern. Warning signs include:
- The person wants to move off the dating site quickly to WhatsApp, text or another private channel. (actionfraud.police.uk)
- They avoid video calls, meet-ups or anything that confirms who they really are. This is a practical inference from Action Fraud’s advice to get to know the person, not the profile. (actionfraud.police.uk)
- They ask for money, vouchers, cryptocurrency or “temporary” help. Action Fraud says never send money if you have only met online. (actionfraud.police.uk)
- They give sad, urgent or high-pressure reasons for needing funds. (actionfraud.police.uk)
- They ask you to keep the relationship or payment secret. (actionfraud.police.uk)
- They sound unusually polished, or their messages feel artificial, generic, or oddly perfect. AI can help scammers make messages more convincing, so this is a risk rather than proof on its own. (ncsc.gov.uk)
What readers should do now
If you think you may be dealing with a romance scam, act quickly:
- Stop sending money immediately. Do not send more funds, vouchers or crypto. (actionfraud.police.uk)
- Tell your bank straight away. Action Fraud says banks can help prevent further losses, and the FCA says victims may be able to recover money in some cases, subject to the bank’s process and any applicable protections. (actionfraud.police.uk)
- Report it. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, report to Action Fraud via its reporting hub or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, report to Police Scotland. (actionfraud.police.uk)
- Save evidence. Keep screenshots, usernames, payment records, phone numbers and messages. This is practical advice; it is not directly stated in the sources, but it can help investigations.
- Tell someone you trust. Action Fraud recommends talking to friends and family if you are unsure. (actionfraud.police.uk)
If you are worried about whether a message, profile or call is genuine, pause before you act. A second opinion can help break the emotional pressure that scammers rely on. The FCA specifically advises getting a second opinion from a family member or friend if behaviour seems suspicious and you are being asked to make financial commitments. (fca.org.uk)
How to stay safer next time
A few habits can reduce risk:
- Slow the pace down. Genuine relationships do not require urgency or secrecy. (actionfraud.police.uk)
- Check the profile, not just the chat. Action Fraud suggests reverse image searches such as Google Image Search or TinEye. (actionfraud.police.uk)
- Keep personal information private. Be cautious with what you share and lock down social media privacy settings. (actionfraud.police.uk)
- Be wary of money requests of any kind. That includes investment opportunities, loans, travel costs, medical bills and cryptocurrency transfers. (actionfraud.police.uk)
- Remember that AI can make scams look more believable. The NCSC says AI can create more convincing scam content, so polished writing or realistic images do not prove that someone is real. (ncsc.gov.uk)
It is also sensible to treat any unexpected contact about money, bank accounts, investments or “recovery” offers with caution. The FCA has separately warned about impersonation scams, showing how fraudsters now mix emotional manipulation with official-looking messages. (fca.org.uk)
Why banks and platforms are being told to do more
The FCA says banks and payment firms should improve detection, staff training, early identification of vulnerability and aftercare for victims. It also said online platforms have a critical role because so many cases start online. (fca.org.uk)
That reflects a bigger shift in fraud: criminals are not just sending obvious scam messages. They are using social engineering, patience and technology to build trust before asking for money. The NCA’s wider fraud assessment also points to increasing use of digital methods, including social engineering, in financial crime. (nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk)
Key takeaway
Romance fraud is rising in the UK, and AI is making scams more convincing. If someone you have only met online asks for money, secrecy or urgency, stop, check independently and speak to your bank or a trusted person before doing anything. (fca.org.uk)