Romance Scam — What to Do If You've Been a Victim in the UK
Romance scams — sometimes called “pig butchering” or “catfishing” — are among the most financially and emotionally devastating frauds in the UK. In 2023, UK victims reported over £92 million lost to romance fraud, and the true figure is thought to be much higher due to unreporting.
If you believe you have been the victim of a romance scam, this guide covers exactly what to do. There is no shame in being targeted— these are highly sophisticated, well-resourced criminal operations.
Signs You May Have Been Romance Scammed
- You met someone online (dating app, social media, or messaging app) who quickly became intensely interested in you
- They claimed to be working overseas — oil rig, military, medical aid, international business
- They asked for money — often starting with small amounts — for an emergency, travel costs, medical bills, or a business investment
- They always had reasons they could not meet in person or video call (camera broken, security rules, unstable internet)
- The photos they used appear on other names in reverse image search
Stop All Contact and Payments Immediately
Do not send any more money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or banking details. Do not respond to further contact. Scammers often apply intense emotional pressure at this stage — threatening harm to themselves, claiming the money was almost ready to be repaid, or using guilt. These are manipulation tactics. There is no real person in the situation you believed to exist.
Try to Recover Money You've Already Sent
Bank transfer (faster payment or BACS)
Call your bank's fraud line immediately. If the transfer was recent, your bank may be able to recall it. Under the APP Fraud Reimbursement Code (October 2024), most UK banks are required to reimburse romance fraud victims up to £85,000 where the victim did not take unreasonable risks.
Credit card
If any payment was made by credit card, request a chargeback from your card provider. Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act also applies to purchases over £100.
Cryptocurrency
Crypto transfers are very difficult to reverse. Report to Action Fraud and the exchange you used — some exchanges cooperate with fraud investigations and may freeze the receiving wallet.
Gift cards
Report to the gift card issuer immediately and provide the card codes. Some issuers can freeze unused balances. This is the least recoverable method.
Protect yourself going forward
Get a free Security Score and personalised protection checklist.
Get your free Security ScoreReport to Action Fraud
Report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. Provide as much evidence as possible: screenshots of conversations, payment receipts, profile URLs or photos, any contact details the scammer used. You will receive a crime reference number. Also report the profile to the platform it was on (dating app, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp).
Support Is Available
Being a victim of romance fraud is traumatic. You do not have to manage this alone.
- Victim Support (victimsupport.org.uk) — free, confidential support for fraud victims
- Citizens Advice (citizensadvice.org.uk) — practical help with financial and legal questions
- Stop Scams UK — information and reporting resources for UK scam victims
Frequently Asked Questions
I feel embarrassed — do I really need to report it?
Yes. Reporting to Action Fraud is important even if recovery seems unlikely — your report contributes to intelligence that is used to disrupt the criminal networks behind romance scams. You are not the first person this has happened to, and the police treat romance fraud victims with respect.
The person says they love me and will repay everything — how do I know it's a scam?
Scammers are trained to maintain the illusion for as long as possible. Key indicators are: never being able to meet or video call, any request for money regardless of reason, and profiles that appear on multiple identities in reverse image search. If any of these apply, it is almost certainly a scam.
My bank says they warned me about the payment. Will they still refund me?
Banks must show they gave a specific and effective warning — not just a generic scam popup. The APP Fraud Reimbursement Code sets out clear standards. If you believe the warning was inadequate, make a formal complaint and escalate to the Financial Ombudsman if necessary.