Lonely hearts desperately looking online for love have lost over £106m to romance fraud by callous criminals. New figures released today by the City of London Police, the national lead force for fraud, reveal the horrific financial impact people are suffering as the number of UK victims continues to soar.
But police believe this number could be just the “tip of the iceberg” with most victims keeping quiet due to embarrassment and shame. Data from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) reveals a disturbing 9% increase in romance fraud reports in the past year, with 9,449 reports made in the 2024/25 financial year. On average, victims lost £11,222 each – proof of the emotionally devastating and financially ruinous impact of these crimes. Breaking outdated stereotypes, data reveals that – for the second consecutive year – male victims slightly outnumber female victims, challenging the misconception that romance fraud primarily targets elderly women.
However, while more men reported cases, female victims tended to lose larger sums of money. This is likely due to the prolonged engagement with fraudsters, who manipulate emotions over extended periods.
The 50-59 age group experienced the highest financial losses, totalling £22,108,334. This demographic is particularly 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.
According to the Victim Support charity, as many as one-in-five frauds now reported involve a romance ploy, and last week actor and writer Mary Chater revealed how she had fallen foul of a romance scam. The 65-year-old had been preparing for her first Christmas party since her husband’s death when she was targeted by an online scammer posing as a UN doctor named ‘Dani’. After losing her partner of 23 years, Julian Curry, the actor best known for playing Claude Erskine-Browne in Rumpole of the Bailey.
The widow says after her heartbreak she finally felt open to new relationships and the scammer’s intimate conversations and video calls led her to send money for supposed medical research.
Although her bank subsequently blocked some payments and refunded the others, the emotional effects have been long-lasting.
She said: “The shame was unbearable and I’m only now telling my close friends about it. It kind of pulled the rug from under my feet and definitely destabilised me. He just knew how to unlock my heart in an instant and that’s devastating. It was mental abuse.”
In a move to raise awareness, the force has launched a striking public campaign – taking over streets with romance-themed names to deliver hard-hitting messages where people least expect them.
Four iconic locations in the historic City of London – Love Lane, Rose Street, Honey Lane, and Bank – were chosen for their symbolic links to love and finance.
Digital billboards along these streets were used to display targeted warnings to educate the public on the emotional manipulation and financial exploitation tactics used by romance fraudsters.
Detective Superintendent Oliver Little, from the Lead Force Operations Room 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 judgment. 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.”
One key tactic used by scammers is ‘love bombing’, where fraudsters overwhelm victims with excessive affection, manipulation, and emotional control to create dependency. Intelligence gathered by City of London Police suggests that nearly twice as many female victims engaged with suspects for a year or more compared to males, indicating a reluctance to believe they’ve been deceived.
Police say romance fraud isn’t just about losing money—it’s about emotional betrayal, psychological harm, and the erosion of trust and officers urge the public to question suspicious relationships, verify identities, and protect both their hearts and their bank accounts.
