Romance rip-off reviews made by Lloyds Banking Group prospects have risen by 24% in a 12 months, with a very sharp improve amongst youthful adults.
If somebody you’ve met on-line begins asking you for cash, cease earlier than making a cost and discuss to somebody you belief.
Whereas reviews involving 18 to 24-year-olds jumped by 59%, Lloyds discovered that folks over 65 accounted for greater than half of all the cash misplaced.
Youthful adults see greatest rise in romance rip-off reviews
The newest figures from Lloyds Financial institution evaluate romance scams reported by its prospects between 1 September 2025 and 31 August 2026 with the earlier 12 months.
It discovered:
- romance rip-off reviews elevated by 24% general
- reviews involving 18 to 24-year-olds rose by 59%
- reviews involving 25 to 34-year-olds elevated by 39%
- folks over 65 accounted for 55% of all the cash misplaced
- victims aged 75 to 84 misplaced £9,051 on common
- the common loss throughout all victims was £4,078
The typical quantity misplaced was truly 20% decrease than the 12 months earlier than, regardless of the rise in reported instances.
These figures are primarily based on scams reported by Lloyds Banking Group prospects. They shouldn’t be learn as figures for each romance rip-off throughout the UK.
Older victims are nonetheless dropping essentially the most cash
The figures present why romance fraud isn’t one thing that impacts one specific age group.
Youthful adults noticed the quickest improve in reviews, however older victims tended to lose a lot bigger quantities.
These aged 75 to 84 misplaced a median of £9,051, in line with Lloyds. That’s 19% greater than the earlier 12 months.
Lloyds additionally discovered variations in the place folks had been assembly scammers.
Youthful victims generally encountered them by courting apps and social media. Folks over 50 had been extra more likely to come throughout fraudsters by conventional courting web sites and social media.
How huge is romance fraud within the UK?
Lloyds’ figures cowl its personal prospects, however wider police figures present how a lot cash is being misplaced to such a fraud.
Report Fraud stated in Could 2026 that 10,784 romance fraud reviews had been made throughout 2025, with reported losses of greater than £102 million.
That works out at nearly £280,000 being misplaced every day.
These figures cowl a distinct group and interval from the most recent Lloyds information, so the 2 units of numbers shouldn’t be straight in contrast.
How does a romance rip-off work?
Romance fraud often begins with somebody pretending to desire a real relationship.
They might create a pretend on-line profile, use someone else’s pictures and spend weeks or months constructing belief.
As soon as the connection feels real, requests for cash can start.
Lloyds warns that scammers might declare they need assistance with an pressing invoice, a medical emergency or journey prices to allow them to come and meet you.
The request can appear plausible as a result of the scammer has already frolicked constructing an emotional connection.
Romance rip-off warning indicators to search for
There isn’t one single signal that proves somebody is a scammer, however there are issues that ought to make you cease and verify.
Be cautious if somebody you might have met on-line:
- repeatedly has excuses for why they can’t meet you in particular person
- avoids telephone or video calls
- shortly desires to maneuver conversations away from a courting web site or app onto someplace comparable to WhatsApp
- asks you to maintain the connection secret from associates or household
- abruptly has an pressing drawback and wishes cash
- asks you to ship financial institution transfers, vouchers, cryptocurrency or cash for an funding
- places stress on you to make a cost shortly
Scammers also can steal pictures from real social media accounts to make their pretend profile look convincing.
You should utilize Google’s reverse picture search to see whether or not the identical {photograph} seems elsewhere on-line or beneath one other particular person’s title.
Don’t be afraid to inform somebody
Speaking to another person may be one of the vital helpful stuff you do if you happen to’re uncertain about a web based relationship.
Scammers might attempt to isolate somebody or discourage them from discussing the connection with family and friends.
Somebody outdoors the connection might spot inconsistencies or warning indicators which can be more durable to see while you’ve constructed an emotional reference to an individual.
And if a member of the family involves you as a result of they’re anxious, pay attention with out judging them.
Romance scammers intentionally spend time constructing belief. Anybody may be caught out.
What must you do if you happen to’ve already despatched cash?
Contact your financial institution or cost supplier as quickly as attainable if you happen to assume you’ve despatched cash to a romance scammer.
Inform them precisely what has occurred and provides them particulars of the funds you’ve made. They are able to cease additional losses or assist get better cash.
When you reside in England, Wales or Northern Eire, you must also report the fraud to Report Fraud. You can also make a report on-line or name 0300 123 2040.
When you reside in Scotland, report fraud to Police Scotland by calling 101.
If somebody is in quick hazard, name 999.
Preserve copies of messages, usernames, cost particulars and anything related with the particular person you had been chatting with.
Cease sending additional cash, even if you happen to’re advised one ultimate cost will resolve the issue.
Be cautious if somebody later contacts you claiming they will get better your misplaced cash in return for one more cost. Fraudsters can goal the identical sufferer once more with a restoration rip-off.
The cash request is the largest warning signal
Assembly somebody on-line is totally regular, and utilizing a courting app or social media doesn’t imply you’re going to be scammed.
However a request for cash from somebody you might have solely met on-line ought to make you cease.
Nevertheless convincing or pressing the story sounds, don’t ship cash to someone you haven’t met and bought to know in actual life.
If one thing doesn’t really feel proper, communicate to somebody you belief earlier than making a cost.
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