Romance Scams On The Rise: 3 Signs Your Online Date Is Not Who They Say They Are

Anyone can fall for a dating scam. Here are the signs to look out for and tips on how to protect yourself.

I’m sure you’ve noticed, but the number of spam calls and requests for people to be added to your WhatsApp have absolutely skyrocketed recently.

But that’s not the only kind of scam that’s on the rise. According to research by security company Avast, dating scams are up this year from the previous year.

In the first half of 2026, the number of UK dating scam attacks rose 32% from the second half of last year.

“This isn’t a fringe risk,” said Luis Corrons, a security expert from Avast.

Of those who say they’ve been targeted, 38% went on to become victims, and nine in 10 lost money, Corrons explained.

He said losses can reach up to £30,000, while Amber Higgins, CEO of US-based dating check website Stud or Dud, revealed she’s seen losses of up to $1 million (equivalent to roughly £750,000).

“There’s an emotional toll to realising a relationship you believed in wasn’t real, and in some cases there are safety risks too, especially once someone has shared personal details like their home address or daily routine with a stranger,” she said.

Why do dating scams happen?

People on dating apps could be particularly susceptible to scams, Corrons said, because so much of early dating happens behind a screen.

“Emotional vulnerability and financial distress are both factors which can make a person more susceptible to fraud, but perhaps surprisingly, so is digital confidence,” Corrons explained.

“Romance scams persist because so much of modern life now runs through a screen. For many people, the early weeks of a relationship happen entirely online, and the normalisation of this gives the scammer time to build trust.”

Who is most at risk of dating........

© HuffPost