Romance Scams Cost Brits Nearly £100 Million in 'Deeply Personal Betrayals'
Romance scams have inflicted nearly £100 million in losses on British victims, with shocking figures revealing a devastating emotional and financial toll. According to exclusive data from the UK's national cybercrime squad Report Fraud, more than 9,000 individuals fell prey to these schemes in the first ten months of 2025 alone.
Alarming Statistics and Police Warnings
The report details that 9,305 victims lost a total of £90.9 million, highlighting a rampant issue that peaks around Valentine's Day as con artists target lonely singletons. DS Oliver Little of the City of London Police, which operates the Report Fraud service, issued a stark warning: "Romance fraud isn’t just a financial crime – it’s a deeply personal betrayal that can leave lasting emotional scars. If you’re in a relationship with someone you’ve only met online, any requests for money should ring an alarm bell. Take a step back, verify identities, and seek advice."
Heartbreaking Victim Stories
Among the victims is 81-year-old Doreen Daniel from Angmering, West Sussex, who was targeted after the death of her husband, Gordon. Fraudsters convinced her to download an app that allowed them to transfer cash from her account. Her daughter Karen Daniel expressed outrage to the BBC: "To hit on someone who is that vulnerable when they have just lost their life partner, it makes me feel sick – how can somebody be so cruel to do that?" Granddaughter Jasmine added that flattery played a key role, with the scammer complimenting Doreen's appearance to gain trust.
In another case, 77-year-old Nikki Macleod, a university lecturer from Edinburgh, sent £17,000 to a woman she believed was in love with her. The scammer used AI-deep fake videos, claiming to live on an oil rig and needing urgent cash. Macleod reflected: "I am not a stupid person but she was able to convince me that she was a real person and we were going to spend our lives together."
Expert Advice on Detecting Fraud
Cybersecurity and human-computer interaction expert Dr Lynsay Shepherd urges vigilance, advising people to scrutinize images and videos closely. "At first glance it looks legitimate, if you don't know what to look for, but if you look at the eyes – the eye movements aren't quite right," she says. Shepherd notes that simple apps like face-swap tools or filters can create convincing fakes, with telltale signs often visible around the jawline during speech.
Recent Prosecutions and Legal Actions
Law enforcement has taken action against perpetrators, with recent cases underscoring the scale of the problem. Last year, a group of scammers led by Kwabena Edusei, 37, were jailed for a romance fraud worth £2.37 million, using fake profiles on dating sites and flirtatious language to manipulate victims. A month earlier, serial fraudster Ben Millin received a nearly three-year sentence for stealing thousands of pounds in romance scams, defrauding four women of an estimated £30,000-40,000 to fund his gambling habits.
These incidents serve as a sobering reminder of the dual threat posed by romance scams: not only significant financial losses but also profound emotional harm, as criminals exploit vulnerability for personal gain.
