The Barclays Scams Bulletin has highlighted a rise in romance scams as online dating reaches a milestone, marking 30 years since the launch of the first leading platform. In the first quarter of 2025, romance scams have surged 20 percent compared to the previous year, with most scams traced back to social media and dating applications.
Barclays underscores the necessity for enhanced consumer protection against such frauds. The bank's data suggests that one in 10 UK adults have either been targeted or know someone who has been, with average losses hitting £8,000 last year. The figure climbs to £19,000 for victims aged 61 and over. This trend indicates that older individuals, potentially less familiar with digital platforms, are more vulnerable to these deceptive practices.
A large majority of the public—76 percent—wants tech companies to intensify efforts to curb these scams on their platforms. Kirsty Adams from Barclays noted that, "Social media platforms and dating apps are by far the biggest sources of romance scams," urging tech companies to implement stronger preventive measures.
Barclays' data shows men are more frequently affected, comprising 60 percent of reports by volume and representing 57 percent by value. Often, those scammed had interacted with the fraudster for less than a month before being solicited for money. Common justifications for needing money include fabricated crises, travel expenses, and medical bills.
Despite these challenges, Adams emphasizes the need for heightened vigilance and technology firms' responsibility in reducing scam incidents. Barclays offers resources for those seeking to protect themselves from potential fraud. For further advice, Barclays encourages visiting their website dedicated to such issues.
Barclays' research draws on data collected by Opinium from a representative sample of 2,000 adults in late January 2025.
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