The heart-breaking cost of romance fraud

The heart-breaking cost of romance fraud 

New figures reveal that cruel 'romance fraudsters' stole more than £1.5 million from victims in North Yorkshire and York last year.

But it's about more than just the money: the emotional toll is often just as profound.

There were 86 reports of romance fraud in our area in 2025, with total losses reaching £1,509,853. Nationally, the scale is even more stark: 10,784 reports and losses of more than £102 million over the same period.

An analysis of the national figures shows that people aged 55 to 74 suffered the greatest financial losses, accounting for almost half of the total amount stolen. Although men submitted a higher number of reports overall, women typically experienced greater financial losses.

It just goes to show: romance fraud can happen to anyone — regardless of age, gender, or background.

Romance fraud is closely linked to online platforms, particularly social media and dating sites, where offenders can easily create convincing false profiles. Investigators are also seeing increased use of AI-generated images and messages to support fraudulent identities. In many cases, romance fraud is linked with fake investment opportunities, including cryptocurrency, in hybrid frauds which further increase the financial risk to victims.

All this is particularly harmful because the criminals target trust and emotional connection. They'll often spend significant time building what appears to be a genuine relationship before attempting to exploit their victim financially.

While the monetary losses can be substantial, the emotional impact is often just as damaging. This crime can affect anyone, and by reporting it, victims help us build intelligence, disrupt offenders and protect others from harm.

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