Romance scam — Police · the UK

Direct answer

If a person you have never met in real life asks for money — for a ticket, a customs fee, a medical bill, an investment — it is a scam, without exception. Stop sending, keep the conversation as evidence, and report it to Police — 101 / report online (999 in an emergency) (101); romance fraud is organised crime and every report helps. Victim Support — 0808 168 9111 (0808 168 9111) offers free, confidential support — the shame keeps people silent, and that is what the scammers count on. Call Your bank — card and payment line the same day to recall what can still be recalled.

Call firstPolice — 101 / report online (999 in an emergency)

Report toVictim Support — 0808 168 9111

If that failsYour bank — card and payment line

🗣️ What to say

"Since [date] I have been in contact with [name] on [platform]. They asked me for money for [reason] and I sent [amount] to [account / service]. I now believe this is fraud and want to report it. I have the messages and the payment details."

🪜 Step by step

Do not send more, do not confrontConfrontation makes them switch to threats or a "friend" who will help you recover. Simply stop.
Save the evidenceProfile, photos, chat export, payment receipts, the accounts you paid to. Reverse-image-search the photos — they are usually stolen.
Bank firstAsk for a recall on transfers and a dispute on card payments. Gift cards and crypto are usually gone; say so anyway, the bank logs the recipient.
Report to Police — 101 / report online (999 in an emergency)Online where possible. Your report connects to hundreds of others using the same photos and accounts.
Talk to Victim Support — 0808 168 9111Free, confidential, no judgement. This happens to careful, intelligent people every day.

📇 All contacts

Police — 101 / report online (999 in an emergency)Local police for any crime that is not fraudBurglary, theft, threats, stalking📞 101 🔗 www.police.uk

Victim Support — 0808 168 9111Free, confidential victim support; CICA compensationAfter any crime📞 0808 168 9111 🔗 www.victimsupport.org.uk

Your bank — card and payment lineRecall a transfer, chargeback, block a card, freeze the accountImmediately, 24/7 — the number is on the back of your card

Action Fraud (England, Wales, NI) / Police ScotlandNational reporting centre for fraud and cybercrimeFor online scams and phishing📞 0300 123 2040 🔗 www.actionfraud.police.uk

❓ Frequently asked

Can I get the money back?

Sometimes a transfer can be recalled within a day; card payments can be disputed. Money sent as crypto, cash or gift cards is almost always lost.

They sent me money to pass on

Stop immediately and tell the bank — that is money laundering, and you would be the "mule" in the police file.

I am embarrassed to report it

The report is confidential. Not reporting is the outcome the scammers want; reporting is how the next person gets a warning.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

“romance scam report the UK”
“online dating asked for money scam”
“dating fraud money back”
“romance scam support the UK”
“is this person a scammer”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

Your tools for the UK

Before it goes wrongCan I?What is allowed, what is not, which permit you need — with the official source.Energy · the UKElectricity & gasThe rules that protect you as an electricity and gas customer in the UK, and who to contact. Every fact is checked on an official source.Recognise it firstIs dit veilig?Check a phone number, website or message against 47,000 scam dossiers.

💔 Someone I met online is asking me for money — is it a scam, and who do I tell?