How to Report a Romance Scam in the UK: Step-by-Step Guide

If you believe you've been targeted by a romance scam — or if you've already sent money — acting quickly gives you the best chance of stopping further loss and potentially recovering funds. This step-by-step guide covers exactly what to do, who to contact, and in what order.

Time matters. The faster you report to your bank, the higher the chance of intercepting or reversing payments. Every hour of delay reduces the likelihood of recovery, as scammers move funds through multiple accounts rapidly.

Step 1: Contact your bank immediately. Call your bank's fraud line (usually on the back of your card) and explain the situation. Request that they attempt to recall or freeze any payments made to the scammer. Under the Contingent Reimbursement Model (CRM) Code, many UK banks have committed to reimbursing victims of authorised push payment (APP) fraud in certain circumstances. If you paid by credit card, you may have additional protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

Step 2: Preserve all evidence. Before the scammer deletes their profile or messages, screenshot everything: their profile (including all photos), every message, their phone number if shared, email addresses, any payment references, and any links they sent you. Save these to a secure location. This evidence will be needed by Action Fraud, your bank, and potentially the police.

Step 3: Report to Action Fraud. Action Fraud is the UK's national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre. You can report by phone (0300 123 2040, Monday–Friday 8am–8pm) or online at actionfraud.police.uk. You'll receive a crime reference number — keep this for your bank and any further correspondence.

Step 4: Report to the dating platform. Every dating platform has a report function. On Smooch, use the in-profile report button or email [email protected] directly. Reporting helps the platform remove the scammer's account and prevent them from targeting others.

Step 5: Report to the police. While Action Fraud handles national coordination, you should also report to your local police force if the scammer has personal information about you (address, workplace), if you feel in danger, or if you want a local investigation alongside the national one. Call 101, or 999 if you feel in immediate danger.

Step 6: Contact Victim Support. Victim Support (0808 168 9111) provides confidential emotional and practical support. Being targeted by a romance scam is a traumatic experience — you deserve support regardless of whether money was lost.

Evidence is critical. Without it, investigations are significantly harder and money recovery becomes less likely. The moment you suspect a scam, start preserving everything before the scammer has a chance to delete their accounts and messages.

Use your phone's screenshot function to capture full conversations, profile pages (including the URL if visible), and any photos they shared. Download bank statements showing payments made. If they sent you links to websites or investment platforms, screenshot those too — they may be taken offline quickly.

The honest answer is: it depends. Your chances of recovery vary significantly based on how you paid. UK bank transfers offer the best prospect, particularly if reported quickly and if both the sending and receiving banks are CRM Code signatories.

Important warning: Be wary of "recovery scams." After reporting a romance scam, some victims are contacted by people claiming to be recovery specialists who can get their money back — for a fee. This is almost always a second scam targeting the same victim. Legitimate recovery processes happen through your bank and law enforcement, not through private companies that charge upfront fees.

The CRM Code is voluntary and not all banks are signatories. Contact your bank to understand their specific policy.

Being targeted by a romance scam is not a reflection of your intelligence or judgment. These are sophisticated, targeted crimes run by professional criminals who manipulate human emotions for profit. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

The emotional impact of romance fraud — betrayal, shame, depression, loss of trust — can be as damaging as the financial loss. The organisations below provide confidential support tailored to fraud victims, and all services are free.

The most effective defence against romance scams is prevention. Smooch's five-layer verification — government ID, credit card, email validation, AI photo detection, and human moderation — creates multiple barriers that a scammer must overcome to create even a single fake profile.

On unverified platforms, a scammer can create dozens of accounts in hours. On Smooch, each account requires independently verifiable real-world credentials. The economics of scamming simply don't work when every fake profile requires a stolen government ID, a valid credit card, an established email, real photos, and the ability to pass human review.

Prevention is always better than reporting. While this guide helps you respond effectively if you've been targeted, choosing a verified platform in the first place significantly reduces the risk of ever needing it.