Dating scams targeting Scots have skyrocketed with police seeing an increase of more than 1628% in crimes reported in the last year.
Romance fraud involves people being duped into sending money to criminals who go to great lengths to gain their trust and convince them that they are in a genuine relationship.
Last year Scotland saw a 1628% eruption in dating scams – which is 16 times higher than the previous year new data has revealed.
The figures, obtained from National fraud data and analysed by podcast Talking Kinky, also revealed a staggering £1.7 million in financial loss as a result of dating scams last year – a 6463% on the average financial loss the previous year.
Tommy Flynn from the Talking Kinky podcast, who analysed the data said: “As online connections continue to grow, so do the risks associated with romance fraud. It is crucial to foster genuine and safe interactions by staying informed and vigilant.
“Scammers prey on emotional vulnerability, using elaborate lies to exploit trust and extract financial resources. To protect yourself from dating scams, keep these essential tips in mind:”
Analysis also found that people in Scotland are more than 2.8 times likely to suffer financially compared to the UK average with 20–29-year-olds being most at risk.
A total of 121 reports related to romance fraud were reported to Police last year – an increase of 114 from 2023.
A total of 43 reports from people within that age bracket were reported to police in 2024.
Netflix’s hit documentary Sweet Bobby recently highlighted the need for greater protections for victims of catfishing and online scams.
In what became the UK’s first successful civil catfishing case, Kirat Assi discovered a man named Bobby who she met online.
London DJ Kirat believed she was in a relationship with a man called Bobby Jandu for nine years but it was a cruel hoax by her female cousin Simran Bhogal.
Police had refused to investigate Kirat’s ordeal. But after 18 months of litigation, Bhogal agreed to pay damages and legal costs along with a formal letter of apology.
With scams on the rise, ways to avoid romance scammers can include verifying the identity of the person you are speaking to early on and be wary of fast-moving relationships.
Never Send Money or Share Financial Details, reverse image searching their photos and be cautious of hard luck stories.
Flynn added: Always request a video call early in your conversations to confirm the person is who they claim to be. Scammers often avoid face-to-face interactions.
“If someone quickly declares deep feelings or pushes for commitment without meeting in person, it could be a red flag. Scammers use emotional manipulation to gain trust.”
“No matter how convincing their story is, never send money, gift cards, or bank details to someone you haven’t met. Genuine connections don’t require financial assistance.”
“Use tools like Google Reverse Image Search to check if their profile pictures appear elsewhere under different names. Stolen images are a common sign of fake profiles.”
He added: “Scammers frequently claim emergencies, such as medical bills or being stranded abroad, to pressure victims into sending money. Always verify such claims independently.”
Anyone with concerns can report to crime reporting agency Action Fraud.
If you think you have been a victim of a romance scam, do not feel ashamed or embarrassed – you are not alone. Contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk. If you are in Scotland, please report to Police Scotland directly by calling 101.
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