'Troubling rise' in romance scams as more than £3.8m 'stolen' in just six months

Santander UK warned of the lasting emotional impact victims can be left with, besides the financial loss, and urged approaching any new relationship with 'cautious optimism'

New data has shown there has been a 'troubling' rise in romance scams.

Santander UK said more than £3.8 million was reported as stolen from its customers in the last six months, an increase of 27% on the previous six-month period. These cons affected customers aged 18 to 93, the bank said, with an average of £4,500 lost each This is despite 65% of British adults believing such fraud will never happen to them.

Half of people have received unsolicited online romantic or flirtatious messages, which they suspected or have confirmed to be a scam Facebook and Instagram have become 'hunting grounds' for romance scammers, with 72% of the suspicious messages received on these platforms. The fraud works by the scammer building an emotional contact with somebody, before asking the victim for money towards items such as flights to visit them, medical expenses or gifts.

Nearly a third, 29%, of people said they would offer financial support to a romantic partner they’ve known for less than six months. This number rises sharply to 58% where the relationship has been going on for longer than six months.

Peter Staffell, behavioural expert at Santander UK, said: “Scammers are experts at presenting themselves as someone you can trust, someone who ‘gets’ you. They play the long game, building a relationship before executing on their scam and, as our research shows, it’s a natural instinct for many of us to willingly lend a financial hand to someone who we have formed an emotional bond with.

“Then they’ve gone. The scam is complete, and the impact extends far beyond the financial losses, leaving emotional scars and often people feeling more isolated than before."

The bank has now teamed up with Traitors star Paul Gorton to raise awareness of romance fraud.
Paul added: "Approach any new relationship with cautious optimism, complete checks and having your wits about you at the start.”