At Excel Currencies, we help expats, immigrants, families separated by borders, and international businesses transfer money securely and affordably every single day. Many of our customers are building new lives abroad, reconnecting with loved ones overseas, or supporting partners in different countries — moments that can make you more vulnerable to relationship fraud (also known as romance scams).
UK victims lost to romance scams in the 2024/25 financial year
average losses per victim (and some cases reaching hundreds of thousands)
increase in reports
In the first half of 2025 alone, losses topped £20 million with nearly 3,000 reported cases (UK Finance data), and trends show continued growth driven by AI deepfakes, fake profiles, and crypto/investment traps.
Expats and those in cross-border relationships face extra risks: scammers often pose as overseas partners needing urgent help with transfers, visas, medical emergencies, or "investments" — leading to international wire requests that exploit trust built over months or even years.
Contact UsFraudsters exploit the rise of online dating and social media, where 85% of cases begin:
Creating realistic profiles, voices, and videos to build convincing relationships.
Long-term grooming leading to fake investment schemes (often crypto), where victims send money abroad thinking it's for a shared future.
Love bombing, isolation from friends/family, and urgent stories (e.g., "medical crisis", "stuck overseas", "investment opportunity").
Targeting expats with promises of reunion, property purchases, or family emergencies requiring international transfers.
Many scams last 1–6 months (48% of cases), with some extending years, leading to repeated payments.
Anyone can be targeted — men slightly outnumber women in reports, but women often lose more over time. No age, background, or financial status is immune.
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Be alert if your online connection shows these red flags:
Excuses like poor connection, being "overseas on business", or "camera broken".
To WhatsApp, email, or encrypted apps where monitoring is harder.
For emergencies, travel, investments, medical bills, or "to prove love" — especially international transfers.
Pressure to act fast, not tell anyone, or keep the relationship private.
Changing details about job, location, or background.
Introducing "lucrative" opportunities (crypto, forex) that require your funds.
Discouraging contact with friends/family who might question the relationship.
Use these 2025-recommended actions from the FCA, City of London Police, Action Fraud, and UK Finance:
No legitimate relationship requires financial help early on. Verify independently (reverse image search photos, video call early).
Share details with a trusted friend or family member for an outside perspective. Scammers thrive in secrecy.
Don't share bank info, PINs, or access. Use strong passwords and MFA on all accounts.
Be extra cautious with urgent transfer requests (e.g., "help me get to you"). Confirm in person or via known contacts. When sending abroad, use regulated providers and verify recipients verbally.
Many victims recover partial funds if acting fast. Emotional support is crucial — you're not alone, and shame belongs to the scammer.
Contact your bank to pause/stop transfers, then report to Action Fraud (actionfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040). If vulnerable, seek support from Victim Support.
Contact your bank to freeze accounts,
then report to Action Fraud and seek support from Victim Support.
Cross-border lives mean more online connections and international money needs — perfect opportunities for scammers. Romance fraud doesn't just steal money; it shatters trust, isolates people, and complicates immigration/property plans. Protecting yourself lets you focus on genuine relationships and secure transfers to those who matter.
At Excel Currencies, we take security seriously:
We never pressure quick transfers, always verify details. we always advise against sending to unverified personal contacts in potential romance situations.
Romance fraud exploits hope and connection, but knowledge breaks the spell. In 2025, with AI making scams harder to spot, pause, verify, and talk to someone you trust. Your heart — and your savings — deserve protection.
Questions about safe international transfers?
Contact our team today — Our team is here to help with transparent, trustworthy service.
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