Romance fraud has cost victims across the UK more than £102 million in a single year, according to figures from the City of London Police, as criminals increasingly turn to artificial intelligence to make scams more convincing.
The number of reported cases has surged by 29 per cent, reaching 10,784 reports last year. Authorities say the rise reflects both growing awareness and a continuing expansion of a crime that often unfolds slowly over weeks or months as offenders build emotional trust before asking for money.
The impact is severe and widespread. Victims lost an average of £9,500 each, with some individuals reporting losses of up to £1 million. In total, fraudsters are estimated to be stealing the equivalent of nearly £280,000 every day through romance scams.
People aged 55 to 74 suffered the highest overall losses, accounting for almost half of the total stolen. While men made more reports, women experienced higher financial losses, making up just over 40 per cent of the total value recorded.
Romance scams typically begin on dating platforms, social media, or messaging apps. Criminals create fake identities and spend time building what appears to be genuine emotional relationships. Once trust is established, victims are pressured to send money for fabricated emergencies, travel costs, medical issues, or supposed investment opportunities.
The City of London Police has warned that the emotional manipulation involved is what makes the crime so damaging, often leaving victims with both financial loss and long term psychological harm.
Detective Superintendent Oliver Little said offenders often invest significant time in creating believable relationships before exploiting victims financially, adding that the crime can affect anyone and reporting it helps disrupt criminal networks.
Other policing data highlights the scale of the problem across the country. Lincolnshire Police reported 137 victims who collectively lost nearly £900,000 in the past year, with funds frequently traced to accounts overseas including Australia, Nigeria and the United States. Officers say once money leaves the UK, recovery becomes extremely difficult.
Det Sgt Emma Ward warned that online relationships make it easier than ever for criminals to gain trust, noting that cross border money transfers are a major barrier to enforcement.
Financial authorities including the Financial Conduct Authority have also raised concerns about the growing sophistication of scams. They warn that fraud is increasingly linked to wider online deception trends, including fake investment schemes and so called pig butchering scams where romance is used to lure victims into cryptocurrency fraud.
UK Finance and Action Fraud reporting trends show social media is now one of the most common entry points for scams, with around a third of fraud cases beginning on these platforms. Surveys also suggest that a significant number of consumers encounter scam attempts each year, with a notable share falling victim.
Experts say artificial intelligence is making these crimes harder to detect. Fraudsters are now using AI generated images, deepfake style videos, and cloned voices to appear more believable, helping them sustain long distance relationships with multiple victims at once.
Authorities are urging the public to be cautious of online relationships that quickly become intense or involve requests for money, warning that emotional trust remains the most powerful tool in the scammer’s arsenal.
