Romance scams continue to persist and evolve with technology, scammers are now targeting victims across multiple platforms including social media, gaming communities, and even professional networks like LinkedIn. According to Experian recent data shows concerning trends, with men making up 52% of romance scam victims, though women face higher average losses of £9,083 compared to £5,145 losses by men.
New tricks
Impersonating celebrities, military personnel, nurses, doctors etc
Scammers frequently pose as military personnel or celebrities, initially posting about "feeling lonely" and "looking for love." They typically move conversations to private messaging apps and eventually ask for money or gift cards.
AI-enhanced deception
Fraudsters are now using sophisticated AI tools to create convincing profiles, generate realistic photos, and even produce "deepfake" videos to be more persuasive and convince you they are real.
Cross-platform targeting
The top five platforms where victims reported first interacting with the criminal committing romance fraud were Facebook, Plenty of Fish, Instagram, Tinder and Match.com. Scammers operate across almost all social and professional networks, making it harder to track and identify their activities.
Tips to help you protect yourself
Verify the identities of people you don’t already know
- Use reverse image searches for profile pictures
- Watch for inconsistencies in stories and locations
- Be sceptical! If a profile seems too perfect, it probably is!
Keep your money in the bank
- Never send money to someone you haven't met in person
- Be especially wary of crypto currency investment proposals
- Question any requests for emergency funds or travel expenses
Setup security features
- Work through the privacy and security settings across all platforms
Red flags to keep an eye out for
- Avoiding video calls or meeting up face to face
- Responding at unusual hours which may suggest they’re in a different time zone
- Sending overly dramatic or generic messages
- Pressure to move conversations to private messaging apps like WhatsApp
If you suspect you're being targeted by a romance scammer, report the account to the platform immediately and avoid sending any money or personal information. If you have sent money contact your bank straight away. There’s some good additional guidance on the Action Fraud website.
Remember: criminals are experts at impersonating people a genuine person that you have never met won't normally ask for financial assistance or urgently ask for money.