Romance fraud, an increasingly prevalent scam, continues to target vulnerable individuals seeking connection, especially in a world more reliant on digital communication than ever before.
Recent Figures
According to the UK Finance 2023 Fraud Report, romance fraud losses reached £95 million in 2023 alone, showing a concerning rise from previous years. From the £68 million that Action Fraud reported in 2020, this is a significant increase. The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) recorded a 26% increase in reports compared to 2021, demonstrating that romance fraud remains a serious issue, outpacing even online shopping scams.
The uptick is largely attributable to the ongoing surge in online dating and social media interactions, especially following the increased isolation many people experienced during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift has provided more opportunities for scammers to create excuses for not meeting in person while cultivating relationships entirely online.
What is Romance Fraud?
Romance fraud involves the manipulation of someone’s emotions to extract money or personal information. It has been defined as “the engineering of a supposed friendship or relationship for fraudulent, financial gain.”
This type of fraud is not new—it dates back centuries. For example, in the 16th century, British citizens were duped into believing they could secure the release of a wealthy Englishman imprisoned in Spain for a financial reward, only to lose their money to con artists. The scam’s method, which often involved multiple rounds of financial requests, bears a striking resemblance to modern romance fraud schemes.
Today, scammers have replaced handwritten letters with digital communication via dating apps, social media, and other online platforms, allowing them to reach countless victims while easily disguising their true identities.
The Psychology Behind Romance Fraud
Romance fraudsters spend considerable time building a relationship with their target, using psychological manipulation to create a deep emotional bond. By mirroring the victim’s personal experiences and interests, scammers create a connection that the victim finds irresistible. This often leads to quick expressions of love and intimacy. As the victim’s emotional investment grows, their cognitive reasoning may weaken as their brain releases dopamine and oxytocin, creating a state of euphoria similar to addiction.
Once the victim is fully invested, scammers begin requesting money, often concocting elaborate stories, such as being stuck abroad, needing medical care, or requiring funds to resolve a financial emergency.
Modern Romance Fraud Schemes
Scammers have adapted to technological advances and new forms of communication. Some schemes use fake profiles on dating apps or social media, while others reach victims through more niche forums, such as hobby groups or online communities. They quickly try to move conversations off platforms that might monitor them, such as dating apps, and onto private messaging apps like WhatsApp.
The rise of cryptocurrency-based romance scams, where fraudsters persuade victims to invest in phony or dubious cryptocurrency schemes, is a new trend that UK Finance has noticed in 2023. Victims may be persuaded to transfer funds to scammer-controlled wallets, thinking they are helping their partner or investing in their future together.
Who Are the Fraudsters?
Romance scams are often run by international organised crime syndicates, predominantly from West African nations such as Ghana and Nigeria but also increasingly from Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia. These syndicates often operate multiple scams simultaneously, targeting victims across the globe.
Who Are the Victims?
With over 5 billion people using the internet globally and more than 270 million people using dating sites in 2023, the pool of potential victims is vast. Victims are typically those seeking companionship, often individuals who are emotionally vulnerable due to bereavement, divorce, or loneliness. Fraudsters also target older individuals, particularly those with financial stability or assets. Women over 50 have consistently been highlighted as a high-risk group, but younger victims are also increasingly targeted through apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge.
Recent Case Example
One of the most shocking recent cases involved a romance fraud victim in the UK who lost £750,000 over the course of a year. Someone posing as a British engineer working overseas scammed the victim, a retired NHS employee. As part of the fraud, the scammer used manipulated documents, voice-altering software, and a network of fake social media profiles to gain the victim’s trust. By the time the victim realised the truth, they had sold their home to fund the scammer’s “business ventures.”
How Do You Know If You’re Being Scammed?
There are several red flags that indicate a potential romance scam:
1. Moving conversations off-platform: Scammers often ask to switch to private messaging services like WhatsApp or direct SMS to avoid platform scrutiny.
2. Avoiding video calls: If they refuse video chats or make excuses, they may be hiding their true identity. They may also provide doctored images or footage to maintain the ruse.
3. Requests for money: They may ask for funds to cover emergencies like medical expenses, travel issues, or a supposed lucrative business deal they can’t access due to their location.
4. Inconsistent stories: Scammers may frequently change details about their life or location.
5. Emotional manipulation: If the victim refuses to send money, the scammer may resort to guilt-tripping, professing that the victim doesn’t love them, or becoming aggressive.
Sextortion and Gift Scams
Scammers may also coerce victims into sending explicit images or performing compromising acts, which they then use for blackmail—a tactic known as sextortion. Victims are threatened with the release of this material unless they pay a ransom. Additionally, some scammers request high-value gifts like electronics or gift cards, making the fraud more difficult to trace.
What Should a Victim Do?
Victims should cease all contact with the scammer and report the incident to Action Fraud or local police immediately. They should notify their bank, the platform where they met the scammer, and any relevant authorities. UK Finance recommends using the ‘confirmation of payee feature when transferring money, which alerts individuals if the recipient’s name doesn’t match the account details provided.
In cases of sextortion, victims should avoid paying any ransom and block the scammer. The police can advise on support services and may be able to remove the material from the internet. The Revenge Porn Helpline reports a 94% success rate in removing compromising content. The Online Safety Act 2013 includes provisions aimed at combating issues like sextortion, revenge porn, and other forms of non-consensual image sharing. Under this legislation, there are powers for the removal of indecent images, penalties for offenders, and support for victims.
What Can Investigators Do?
For individuals unsure if they are being scammed or who need help gathering evidence, professional investigators can be invaluable. Investigators use ethical and legally compliant methods, including analysing communication patterns, verifying personal details, and investigating the scammer’s online footprint through Open Source Intelligence (OSINT). They can provide actionable advice and evidence that may help victims pursue legal action.
Why Instruct an Investigator?
Victims may be hesitant to talk to friends or family out of embarrassment or fear, but consulting a professional investigator can provide clarity and protection. An investigator can confidentially review communications and information, helping establish if the person is a fraudster. Through discreet inquiries and open-source investigations, they can confirm the authenticity of individuals, documents, photographs, companies, or stories.
Any investigation must comply with civil and criminal laws to protect innocent parties and ensure that evidence can be used in court. It is also vital that investigators complete a Legitimate Interest Assessment and Data Protection Impact Assessment, complying with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
When hiring an investigator, it is always advisable to ensure they have the requisite skillset, qualifications, and insurance. The simplest way to do this is to check that the investigator is a member of the Association of British Investigators (ABI). By instructing an ABI member, you have the assurance that they have been DBS checked, demonstrated professional ability, and are registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office. They are also required to have professional indemnity insurance and can be held accountable through the ABI's disciplinary system. The ABI is the only association in this sector working with the Law Society of England and Wales.
Conclusion
As romance fraud continues to rise, education and vigilance are crucial. Victims must recognise the signs early and stop communication with scammers before they lose money or personal dignity. Investigators, supported by legal frameworks like the Fraud Act 2006, can help victims uncover the truth and take action to recover lost funds.
If you or someone you know suspects they may be a victim of romance fraud, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional assistance. At Q10 Investigations, we offer discreet and thorough investigations to uncover the truth, providing the support and evidence needed to protect you from further harm. As members of the ABI, our methods are fully compliant with legal and ethical standards, ensuring you receive the best possible service.
If we can assist with any enquiries or instructions you may have, please do not hesitate to contact us; we will be happy to be of assistance.
Article submitted by Justin Inson (Full Member F2138) of Q10 Investigations www.q10claimssolutions.co.uk
Contact: info@q10claimssolutions.co.uk
