Fraudsters create fake profiles on dating sites, social media or messaging apps, often using stolen photos and a story that explains why they cannot meet, such as military service or work overseas. They contact the victim daily for weeks or months to build trust. Once the relationship feels real, they ask for money, starting small and escalating, and coach the victim on what to tell the bank.

Banks see romance scams as repeated payments to new payees, often overseas or to crypto exchanges, from customers with no history of such transfers. Funds usually land in money mule accounts and are moved on quickly. Controls include payment warnings, in-app questions, delaying suspicious payments and branch staff interventions. In the UK, victims of Faster Payments scams can claim reimbursement under PSR rules.