Love’s Costly Con

Brits lost £108m to heartless romance scammers in 2024 as the FCA urges banks to sharpen fraud defences

Romance scams drained £108 million from unsuspecting Brits in 2024, according to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which is now urging banks and payment firms to step up their efforts to protect customers. These scams, which rose 9% last year, see fraudsters weaving false romantic or friendly connections—often through dating apps and social media—t…