Scottish mother lost £17,000 in ‘nightmare’ online romance scam

A Scottish woman has urged others to remain vigilant on dating websites after losing thousands of pounds in an online romance scam. 

The mother, 57, from Glasgow, was conned out of £17,000 by a fraudster on a dating app for women. 

Speaking anonymously, ‘Alison’ said that she suffered a suspected heart attack following the “nightmare” cyber fraud. 

“I feel so stupid but I was just trying to do the right thing and be a good person by helping someone out,” she said. 

Alison spent months chatting to the man online, who claimed to be an American professional, before he requested £17,000 for work purposes after claiming his bank account had been frozen.  

The scammer had engaged in video calls and even sent Alison false passport details when she decided to transfer him the money last August. 

“I have informed the bank and the police, but I feel as if my life is in ruins and I am just left in limbo,” Alison said. 

She added that the incident has taken a “real toll” on her mental and physical health. 

The charity Advice Direct Scotland warned that scammers often target female users of dating websites around Valentine’s Day.  

Hazel Knowles, senior project lead at Advice Direct Scotland, said: “Romance scams are a persistent issue throughout the year, but it is important to be particularly vigilant around Valentine’s Day, which can be exploited by scammers who prey on people seeking romantic connections. 

“These fraudsters are always on the lookout for potential targets, using dating websites, social media, and other platforms to build trust and defraud people. It is important to stay vigilant and approach online interactions with caution.” 

According to a report from the bank Santander last October, their customers lost £6.8m to online romance scams between 2023 and 2024. 

The bank’s research showed that over half of Brits said they had received suspicious romantic messages online. 

Advice Direct Scotland has published tips to avoid falling victim to fraudulent activity on online dating platforms.  

The charity highlighted the threat of ‘love bombing’, where scammers immediately shower victims with affection to build trust. 

“You should never share personal or financial information with someone you’ve only met virtually, and if you have any doubts about a person’s authenticity, carrying out thorough background checks is advisable,” Knowles said. 

“These scams can cause significant emotional and financial distress, leaving people feeling deceived and isolated.” 

Alison said she is still contacted by the fraudster, who demanded a further £7,000 after telling Alison he had been detained by customs officials. 

Knowles added: “It’s important to remember there is no shame in being scammed, and anyone who is worried or needs help can contact our specialist advisers for free, impartial, and practical advice.”