Lloyds shares real life stories from victims of romance scams

As fraudsters go, romance scammers are some of the most talked about – with popular shows such as Catfish and The Tinder Swindler still referenced years after their debuts, everyone has heard a story or two about someone looking for love being scammed. Despite this, people are still falling for romance scams and losing large amounts of money, with victims over the past year losing on average £5,219.

In a romance scam, fraudsters take advantage of those using the internet to find companionship, often using fake information and photos to gain the trust of potential victims. This could be through social media, online forums, online gaming websites and dating sites. Once they have this trust, they will use a variety of stories and excuses as to why they can’t meet in real life, and why they need money sent to them.
 

Older people have always been unfortunate targets of romance scammers, with the cruel fraudsters taking advantage of those who are more likely to live alone. Data shows a 52% increase of cases in the past year alone for victims aged over 55.

However, it’s not just the older age groups being targeted by romance scams. Over the past year, cases involving victims aged 35 to 44 rose by a fifth (20%).

Using their own data, Lloyds shares the top cover stories used by these scammers, some facts to help myth bust them, as well as some real-life stories from victims
 

Lloyds analysed reports from customers who had fallen victim to a romance scam and found:

The most common occupations claimed by romance scammers

• Military Personnel: Scammers often claim to be soldiers, usually stationed overseas or in conflict zones. However, on 1st April 2024, around 96% of UK regular forces personnel were actually stationed in the UK .
• Oil Rig Workers: Working on an oil rig is an excuse used frequently by scammers, both male and female, which they will then subsequently say makes communication difficult. But data shows that in 2022 only 3.4% of oil rig workers, known as ‘offshore travellers’, were female , so the chances of speaking to a woman online based on an oil rig are very low.
• Other common occupations scammers claim to hold are Business Owners, Engineers and Doctors, often claiming to be working abroad in conflict zones or on humanitarian missions.

The most common reasons for needing money

• Medical Emergencies: Scammers sometimes claim either they or a family member need urgent medical treatment, often due to something like a car accident. In 2022, only 0.21% of UK population were involved in a car accident.
• Travel & Living Expenses: The scammer might request money for flights or travel expenses to visit the victim. Or they might ask for help with rent, food, or other daily expenses.
• Other reasons they might use for needing money include Legal Fees, making Tax or Customs Payments or Business Problems.

Scammers will often ask victims to send money to them via bank transfer, but other tactics include asking the victim to purchase online gift cards and send them instead. These are easy for the scammer to sell on and profit from.

Tell-tell sales of a romance scam and how to prevent yourself from falling victim

• Rapid Declaration of Love: Scammers often profess love very quickly. Be cautious of strangers contacting you on social media and ask yourself if their intentions are genuine.
• Avoiding Face-to-Face Meetings: They make excuses to avoid video calls or in-person meetings. Be wary of someone who has endless excuses for why they can’t meet in person.
• Requests for Money: They ask for money for various emergencies or expenses. Never transfer money to a stranger, especially one you’ve never met in real life. If someone is genuinely interested in getting to know you, they wouldn’t ask for money.
• Inconsistent Stories: Their stories often have inconsistencies or change over time. If you’re suspicious of someone you’re talking to online, no matter how personal it may feel, speak to someone you trust in your day-to-day life to get an outside point of view. Tell them about who you’re speaking to, and be understanding with any advice they might give.
• Pressure and Guilt: They use emotional manipulation, such as guilt-tripping or creating a sense of urgency. Don't succumb to pressure, if they’re trying to rush you, or bombard you with messages, take a step back and question their intentions.

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