UK scam guide · updated 27 September 2026
Romance scams
A scammer builds a relationship online, often over months, then needs money: for travel to meet you, a medical emergency, customs fees, or an “investment” they want to share with you. UK Finance reports romance fraud losses reached a record high in 2025.
What it looks like
- Someone you've met online moves the chat quickly to WhatsApp or another private app
- They can't video call, or always have a reason not to meet
- A sudden emergency that only money can fix, or a crypto investment they want you to join
- Requests for gift cards, crypto or payments to a third party
- Being asked to keep the relationship secret from friends and family
What the real organisations say
“However sad or urgent their story is, never send money (that includes vouchers, cryptocurrency or money for investments).”
“Never send money or personal information. Never invest money, transfer money on their behalf, take out a loan for them, or send them gift cards.”
“For almost a third of those targeted, the fraud spans more than a year – for some, many years.”
Romance fraud losses rose 23% to £39.2 million in 2025, with case numbers up 22%: the highest loss total UK Finance has recorded. Source
What our visitors report
From scam reports, community threads and caller verdicts left on this site that match this scam. These are user reports, not verified findings.
- Reports on this site
- 4
- Last 90 days
- 4
- Latest report
- 28 Sept 2026
Latest reported examples
TextScam report· 28 Sept 2026· 07532 776841
My name is Ivanov, 1 am the boss of escort which you wasted time and for which you have to pay me I give you 2 options you pay now 700 for the girl time and me and my boys will forget what happened or two options I will send my boys to you and you and your family will have big problems with my boys and will pay me more…
Read the full reportCallCaller verdict· 27 Sept 2026· 07310 680010
Tried to use dating app pictures of me to say they were going to post me as a nudist on Facebook and to my friends and family and wanted £500 from me
CallCaller verdict· 19 Aug 2026· 07861 665294
She is a romance scammer
CallCaller verdict· 18 Aug 2026· 07403 780571
Attached to a Romance Scam Telegram Account
Numbers reported for this scam
What to do
- 1
Talk to someone you trust
Scammers rely on secrecy. A friend or family member can often see what you can't.
- 2
Don't send money or gifts
Whatever the reason. Reverse-image-search their photos; stolen pictures are common.
- 3
Sent money?
Call your bank on 159, then report to Report Fraud (0300 123 2040), or Police Scotland on 101. Hang up on anyone who says they can get your money back.
Report Fraud (replaced Action Fraud on 4 Dec 2025) ↗
Had one? Report it
Your report helps the next person who checks the same message, link or number. It’s published as a visitor report after our daily moderation.
Romance scams: FAQs
What are the signs of a romance scam?
Moving the chat off the dating site quickly (the Met Police notes scammers often choose encrypted apps such as WhatsApp), avoiding video calls, and sooner or later a request for money, gift cards or an investment.
How much is lost to romance scams in the UK?
UK Finance reports £39.2 million lost to romance fraud in 2025, up 23%, with case numbers up 22%: the highest loss it has recorded.
Someone says they can recover the money I lost. Should I pay?
No. Report Fraud advises you to hang up on any callers who claim they can get your money back.
How many Romance scams have been reported on WhoCalledLookup?
4 visitor reports on this site match this scam, 4 of them in the last 90 days; the latest was on 28 September 2026. They are user reports, not verified findings.