POLICE are urging people to stay vigilant when forming online relationships after more than £3million was lost to romance fraud in Devon and Cornwall.

People across the UK lost more than £100 million to romance fraud last year, highlighting the continued impact of criminals exploiting online relationships for financial gain.

It also underlines the scale and persistence of a crime that can develop over weeks or months.

The total losses equate to almost £280,000 every day, with victims losing an average of £9,500 each.

In some severe cases, individuals reported losses of up to £1 million.

Romance fraud typically involves offenders building trust and emotional connections over time before requesting money.

These requests are often justified using fabricated reasons, such as emergencies, investment opportunities or plans to meet in person.

Devon and Cornwall saw loses of £3.1million, with the Metropolitan Police area recording the highest total losses at £12.1 million.

Analysis shows that people aged 55 to 74 experienced the highest financial losses, accounting for nearly half of the total stolen. Although men made more reports overall, women generally suffered higher individual financial losses.

Romance fraud remains closely linked to online environments, particularly social media and dating platforms, where criminals can easily create convincing fake profiles. Investigators have also noted an increase in the use of AI-generated images and messages to make fraudulent identities appear more realistic.

In many cases, romance fraud is combined with fake investment schemes, including cryptocurrency, increasing the financial risk to victims.

Police are urging people to stay vigilant when forming online relationships and to watch for these warning signs, including communication red flags, and emotional manipulation tactics.

For more information, including what to do if you are the victim of a scam, visit Devon & Cornwall Police’s website.