By: 4 February 2025
UK dating scam losses soar to over £400m as reports rise by 27% 

Romance fraud reports have surged, costing UK victims over £400m in five years, new data shows. 

The financial impact of dating scams in the UK has exceeded £400m over the past five years, with reports of romance fraud rising by 27%, according to new figures from Action Fraud Claims Advice. 

Between January 2020 and December 2024, nearly 40,000 crime reports were classified as ‘dating fraud’, with victims suffering an estimated total loss of £409.7m. The true cost is likely to be even higher, as many cases go unreported. 

Sharp increase in romance fraud cases 

Dating fraud involves scammers deceiving victims into sending them money, often through catfishing tactics on dating sites, social media, or online forums. Action Fraud Claims Advice found that reports surged during the COVID-19 lockdowns, with 2021 seeing a peak of 8,678 cases – a sharp rise from the 6,712 recorded in 2020. 

Data suggests that romance fraud is a year-round threat, with no specific seasonal spikes beyond a one-time increase following Valentine’s Day in 2021. 

Victims of all ages and locations affected 

Romance scams affect individuals across all demographics. Of the victims who disclosed their gender, 51% identified as female and 49% as male. Middle-aged individuals were most frequently targeted, with those aged 50-59 reporting the highest number of cases. However, victims as young as under 10 and over 90 were also identified. 

Geographical data reveals London as the worst-affected area, with over 5,168 cases reported. But no region is immune to the crime: the West Midlands, Sussex, Thames Valley, and West Yorkshire also recorded high numbers of scams. In Devon and Cornwall, reports have nearly doubled in five years, with similar increases seen in Cleveland and Nottinghamshire. 

Victim Support urges awareness 

Lisa Mills, senior fraud manager at Victim Support, stressed the severe emotional toll romance fraud takes on victims. “For victims, it isn’t just a question of losing large sums of money. [It] can knock your confidence and sense of self-worth enormously,” she said.  

She added, “If you have been a victim, you are not to blame – fraudsters are skilled manipulators who use social engineering to manipulate thousands of people every year. Get in touch with Victim Support for free, confidential support via our 24/7 Supportline [08 08 16 89 111] or live chat service.” 

The government hopes that new protections under the Online Safety Act 2023 will pressure tech firms to take greater responsibility in preventing romance scams. 

Image credit: © south_agency via Canva 
Josie Geistfeld
Josie is an editor for Claims Media. She welcomes feedback, comments, and opinion at josie.geistfeld@barkerbrooks.co.uk