# Romance scammers ‘shifting tactics towards bogus investment schemes’

By Dr Rasha Kassem — 2026-02-11

Dr Rasha Kassem, senior academic and leader of the Fraud Research Group at Aston University, said: “Nationwide’s findings point to a clear evolution in romance-related financial crime.

“Offenders are moving away from dramatic “emergency” narratives and toward aspirational investment personas, posing as successful traders who showcase fabricated profits and imply access to exclusive opportunities.

“This shift replaces fear-based manipulation with aspiration, authority bias and fear of missing out — tactics that can sustain longer grooming periods and generate higher losses.

“The most concerning trend is the blending of emotional grooming with investment schemes.

“Typically, the offender first builds trust and emotional dependency, then introduces trading or cryptocurrency conversations, and finally encourages escalating transfers into fraudulent platforms.

“Because victims believe they are investing rather than simply sending money, financial losses can be substantial.

“The demographic data is consistent with this shift.

“People over 55 account for most reported cases (62 per cent), often linked to traditional romance narratives and emergency-based tactics.

“However, under-30s represent a smaller share of cases (six per cent) but a disproportionately high share of total losses (14 per cent), suggesting higher exposure to online trading culture and digital asset schemes.

“Average losses are higher among women (£4,100 compared with £2,600 for men), which may reflect longer grooming periods and deeper emotional manipulation.

“The use of AI-enhanced images, altered videos and stolen photographs further increases credibility, lowering traditional red flags.

“Isolation tactics — encouraging secrecy and discouraging outside advice — remain central, mirroring coercive control patterns and the vicious nature of this crime.

“This is not merely a seasonal issue around Valentine’s Day; it represents a structural and systematic adaptation in criminal methodology.

“Effective prevention now requires evolved public awareness.

“Prevention messaging must move beyond “don’t send money to someone you haven’t met.” It should explicitly warn about investment opportunities introduced within romantic relationships, pressure to act quickly on “exclusive” trading opportunities, requests to move conversations off mainstream platforms and requests to keep financial matters secret.

“Public campaigns should also normalise seeking a second opinion before transferring funds.

“Proactive banking interventions are also needed. Financial institutions should shift from reactive reimbursement to early disruption.

“This includes monitoring sudden transfers to cryptocurrency exchanges, identifying escalating smaller payments over time, flagging unusual gift card purchases or third-party fund transfers, introducing friction prompts and cooling-off periods for high-risk transactions and training frontline staff to recognise emotional grooming indicators.

“Additionally, because these cases span dating apps, social media, messaging platforms and crypto services, stronger information sharing and faster removal of fraudulent accounts are essential to prevent repeat victimisation.

“Finally, isolation and secrecy are central tactics.

“Messaging should counter this by encouraging victims to involve trusted family, friends or advisors before making financial decisions.

“Post-incident support must also recognise the emotional and psychological harm involved, not just the financial loss.”

Canonical: https://experts.pressassociation.com/expert/110/views/c5cb55b3f8dc1baa