Protect yourself from romance scammers

Romance scams don’t just leave people out of pocket - victims often lose their self-confidence and ability to trust too.

So it’s alarming to see the scale of the problem and how many people it affects.

The Financial Ombudsman Service says that between January 2025 and March 2026, it received more than 500 complaints from victims of romance scams.

And for many, it’s having a huge emotional and financial impact.

How do romance scammers operate?

The Financial Ombudsman says scammers are seducing victims on social media and gaming apps, and often searching for profiles of widowed people or divorcees.

They’ll then try to build a sense of trust and emotional connection and convince them they’re in a relationship.

At this point, they might claim they need money for something extremely personal or time-sensitive, such as medical treatment, at which point the victim feels compelled to help.

“Being the victim of a fraud or scam can be deeply distressing,” said Patrick Hurley of the Financial Ombudsman Service.

“Sadly, for many people the financial implications can be life changing. 

“Romance scams particularly can leave an emotional scar and the impact on victims is often significant.”

Romance scammers using sophisticated methods

The Financial Ombudsman also warns that the tactics used by scammers are often “incredibly sophisticated”.

This, it says, means it can be difficult for even the most cautious people to recognise that it’s a deception.

“The rise of AI and the increased popularity of social media platforms and dating apps has made it difficult to differentiate fact from fiction,” it adds.

Kirsty’s story

Kirsty Guest, a florist from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, was targeted following the breakdown of her 14-year marriage, when her friends encouraged her to try online dating.

Reluctant but hopeful, she gave it a go, and one man’s profile stood out.

“He approached me with decency and a want to strike up a real conversation,” she said.

After several weeks of regular, intense interactions, including one where he admitted he was falling in love with her, the contact with Kirsty suddenly stopped.

He then called saying he’d been mugged abroad and had everything stolen, so he needed help paying hospital fees.

At first, he didn’t ask for her money, and instead, he gave her access to what appeared to be his online bank account.

But after a few payments, the website showed she was locked out, so he asked if she could send her own money instead, promising she’d be repaid as soon as his account was unfrozen.

By the time the truth emerged, which was uncovered by her sister’s persistence and photo evidence, the damage was immense.

In total, Kirsty had sent him £85,671.

“Nobody is safe,” she commented.

“It doesn't matter how old you are, how educated you are or how much money you have.”

Read more about Kirsty’s experience here.

Kirsty’s advice

Kirsty has some valuable advice for anyone who might be being targeted by a fraudster:

• Speak in person. If they refuse, ask them why. 
• Don’t keep your online a relationship a secret, even if they ask you to. 
• If it was someone else you knew talking to you like that, would you do what they say or take that response?
• If you feel pressure to move money or are even asked to do so, stop and talk to your bank or someone you trust.
• Don’t believe in social media as being an honest platform. 
• Never be ashamed. Use your voice and ask for help.

“We cannot allow this to carry on,” Kirsty says.

“These people/organisations of crime, take our money and can take your life within a blink of an eye.”

“I will never be the same again. 

“However, with time you find a way to fight and hold your head high again.”

Check out our guide on how to outsmart online scammers for more tips to help you stay safe.