Valentine’s Day is often associated with connection, companionship, and celebrating love. Increasingly, those connections start online – through dating apps, social media, or messaging platforms.
In fact, estimates suggest that around 80% of people now meet their partner online. While many online relationships are genuine, it’s important to note that 82% of fraud occurs online, and romance scams remain among the most emotionally and financially damaging forms of fraud.
As more people connect digitally, now is a good time to pause and stay informed. This guidance is intended for anyone who feels unsure about an online relationship or who has concerns about someone they care about.
If you would like reassurance or a second opinion, Safe Online can help.
Why romance scams are increasing
Online platforms make it easier than ever to meet new people, but they also give scammers more opportunities to build trust quickly and convincingly.
Romance scammers often:
- Create fake profiles using stolen photos
- Spend weeks or months building an emotional connection
- Move conversations away from trusted platforms
- Use emotional pressure, urgency, or sympathy to manipulate
Common warning signs to look out for
While every situation is different, there are some common red flags associated with online romance scams:
- Messages become intense very quickly
- Requests to move conversations off dating apps or social platforms
- Reluctance to meet in person or take part in video calls
- Stories that don’t quite add up or frequently change
- Requests for money, gifts, or help with an ‘emergency’
- Pressure to keep the relationship secret
If something feels rushed, confusing, or too good to be true, it’s worth taking a step back.
Who is most at risk?
Romance scams can affect anyone, regardless of age or background. However, some people may be more vulnerable, including:
- Older adults
- People who live alone
- Those who are recently bereaved, divorced, or experiencing loneliness
- People who are less confident using digital technology
Scammers are skilled at identifying emotional vulnerability – which is why awareness and support are so important.
What to do if something doesn’t feel right
If you’re unsure about an online relationship, or if concerns are raised by friends or family, it’s important to act calmly and early.
Practical steps include
These steps can help prevent emotional pressure from turning into financial or personal harm.
- Pausing communication and not rushing decisions
- Avoiding sharing personal or financial information
- Not sending money, vouchers, or gifts
- Talking things through with someone you trust
- Reporting concerns to the relevant platform
Hampshire Alert has highlighted the BBC documentary, ‘The Beauty Queen and the Catfish’, which shows how flirtatious online conversations can escalate into manipulation, deceit, and cyberstalking – a powerful reminder of how convincing these scams can be.
How Safe Online can help
At The Blue Lamp Trust, our Safe Online service provides free, practical cyber safety advice for older and vulnerable people across Hampshire.
Our trained safety technicians can
- Help people recognise warning signs of online scams
- Offer clear, jargon-free advice on staying safe online
- Support individuals who are unsure about an online interaction
- Provide reassurance in a confidential, non-judgemental way
Online harm can sometimes have real-world consequences.
For some people, concerns about an online relationship may sit alongside worries about personal safety at home – particularly following a relationship breakdown, harassment, or other distressing experiences.
Alongside Safe Online, the Blue Lamp Trust also offers Safe Home visits, providing practical home safety advice and security measures to help people feel safer and more confident in their own homes. Support is available, and help can be tailored to individual circumstances.
Support and advice
Online romance scams can be difficult to talk about – but no one should feel embarrassed or alone.
Our Safe Online service is here to offer free, practical support and advice – whether you have been affected by fraud, or you want help to reduce the risk of it happening to you, or someone you care about.
If something doesn’t feel quite right online, or if you would like reassurance or guidance, our team is here to help.
Contact Safe Online
By phone: 0300 777 0157
Online: bluelamptrust.org.uk/safe-online
Reporting fraud or crime
If you believe you have been a victim of fraud and the incident has already taken place, please report it to Report Fraud:
By phone: 0300 123 2040
Online: reportfraud.police.uk
If a fraud or other crime is currently in progress, if you are concerned for your own safety or someone else’s, or if there is evidence that could be damaged or destroyed, please call 999 immediately.
Stay informed. Stay supported. Share this information with someone who might need it this Valentine’s Day.
