Santander is warning loved-up Brits to stay vigilant this Valentine’s Day, following new data from the bank showing that nearly £8 million was handed to romance scammers in 2024.1 In February alone, nearly £800,000 was sent to scammers, including £262,000 in one transaction. The average romance scam in 2024 totalled £5,009.

Social media continues to be the most common place for these scams to start, with nearly half (46%) of cases originating on platforms including Facebook (17%) WhatsApp (11%), Snapchat (4%) and TikTok (3%), with more than £1 million handed over in person or over the phone.

Younger men were some of the most likely to fall for romance scams, with 24% of all claims coming from 19–35-year-olds, and 77% of these victims being male. However, romance scammers don’t discriminate by age – the oldest victim was 96 years old.

Michelle Pilsworth, Head of Fraud and Customer Experience at Santander, said: “Romance scams are particularly cruel, as they exploit people’s emotions and trust. On Valentine’s Day, when many are looking for love, fraudsters are actively seeking to take advantage, building what feels like a genuine connection, before inventing reasons why they need financial help. If you’re speaking to someone online and they ask for money, it’s time to stop and think – no matter how convincing they seem.”

Where do romance scams begin?

Santander’s data highlights the top 10 places where romance scams are most commonly initiated in 2024:

Warning signs of a romance scam:

• Requests for money from someone you haven’t met in person

• Being encouraged to keep the relationship a secret or isolate from loved ones

• The person avoiding personal questions or giving inconsistent details

• Excuses for why they can’t meet in person or make video calls

• Moving the conversation off dating sites quickly to email or messaging apps

• Claims of being stuck in a difficult situation and needing financial help

Top tips on how to protect yourself and others:

• Verify their identity – pictures can be edited, and fake profiles can easily be made. Use a reverse image search to check if their photos are from another website or social media platform.

• Remove emotion from financial decisions – talk to someone you trust before sending money.

• Be honest with your bank if they question a payment – they’re trying to protect you.

• Don’t be embarrassed – if something feels wrong, stop and seek advice.

To find out more about how to protect yourself and your loved ones against romance or friendship scams, visit Santander’s website. From today, Santander customers can also access a new Romance Scams course on the Fraud Hub via the mobile app.