Why it matters: Romance fraud causes both devastating financial losses and lasting emotional trauma, with sophisticated criminals targeting anyone regardless of age or gender.
The big picture: New figures from City of London Police show more than £106 million was lost to romance fraud across the UK last year. Suffolk saw a 1.2% increase in reported cases, while victims nationally lost an average of £11,222 each.
Breaking stereotypes: For the second consecutive year, male victims slightly outnumbered female victims nationally, challenging misconceptions that romance fraud primarily targets elderly women. However, female victims tended to lose larger sums of money.
Detective Superintendent Oliver Little, from the City of London Police, said: "Romance fraud isn't just a financial crime—it's a deeply personal betrayal that can leave lasting emotional scars."
The details: The 50-59 age group experienced the highest financial losses nationally, totalling £22,108,334. This demographic is particularly vulnerable as they often have greater financial resources and may be experiencing personal life changes such as divorce or separation.
What they're saying: "Despite this, stigma still surrounds romance fraud victims, often driven by misconceptions that they are foolish or lack judgment. In reality, criminals use sophisticated tactics to manipulate emotions and gain trust, making anyone vulnerable," said Det Supt Little.
Key tactics: Scammers use 'love bombing', where fraudsters overwhelm victims with excessive affection and emotional control to create dependency. Intelligence suggests nearly twice as many female victims engaged with suspects for a year or more compared to males.
What to look out for:
Requests for money from someone you have never met in person
Pressure to move conversations away from dating apps to WhatsApp or SMS
Requests for personal documents, bank access, or money transfers
Isolation from family and friends who might offer perspective
The bottom line: Romance fraud targets emotions to steal money, affecting anyone regardless of background. If something feels wrong in an online relationship, take a step back and seek advice from trusted friends or family.
