Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology advanced rapidly in 2025, and AI-generated imagery and video have become hyper-realistic. Could you spot the signs of a fake Facebook or dating app profile and dodge the scammers?
It has recently been reported that a retired professor fell ‘head over heels in love’ with a sailor she met online. The two began chatting after connecting on Facebook. Nikki McLeod was 77, while Alla Morgan claimed to be in her mid-thirties and working on an offshore oil rig. Nikki admits she felt lonely after a long-term relationship ended and wanted to make new connections. Alla messaged her, and the two seemed to hit it off, talking often and even sending videos to reassure Nikki that her feelings were genuine.
What Nikki didn’t know was that Alla Morgan wasn’t a real person, and that she was gradually becoming the victim of a romance scam. Alla’s profile had been created by scammers, using a photo from another Facebook user’s profile. They also created videos using an AI tool and sent them to Nikki as the fake relationship progressed.
Around 3 months into their relationship, Alla started asking Nikki for money and gift cards to cover the cost of a visit and to keep in touch from the oil rig. If Nikki ever questioned these requests, Alla would send videos to reassure her. They showed her talking, with the backdrop of an oil rig, and Nikki believed everything she said.
The visit never happened, and the requests for money didn’t stop. Alla even offered to help Nikki’s daughter purchase a house. With her permission and login details, Nikki tried to access Alla’s bank account to withdraw £65,000, but the transaction was blocked. Nikki received an email stating she could unlock the account by paying £8,500, which she did in instalments.
The final straw came when Alla claimed to be in jail for money laundering and asked Nikki for help calling a specific lawyer. When the lawyer asked for money upfront, she said “something finally clicked”.
Nikki lost a total of £20,000 in the scam and recovered £7,000. She was an educated, professional person who found herself going through a difficult period emotionally after the end of a long-term relationship. Feeling lonely and seeking connection made her vulnerable to manipulation. She wanted to share her story to highlight that scammers exploit moments of vulnerability and that it can happen to anyone.
What is a romance scam?
+ −Romance scams happen when individuals meet online, develop a trusting romantic relationship, and then face urgent or repeated requests for money.
These scams are a form of Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud, where the victim consciously authorises a bank transfer to the scammer’s account.
The scammer is highly manipulative, swiftly transferring the money to another account, often overseas, and then vanishing. By the time victims realise they have been tricked, it is often too late to recover their funds.
In the financial year 2024/2025, Crimestoppers reported a 9% increase in romance fraud reports from the previous year: a total of £106 million was lost in the UK.
As AI-driven scams become more convincing and harder to detect, understanding the common warning signs and knowing when to pause can play a crucial role in protecting yourself and your finances.
Romance scams in the age of AI: warning signs and ways to protect yourself
+ −Romance scams thrive on trust, emotion, and urgency, and while AI has added a new layer of sophistication, the underlying warning signs often remain the same. Being aware of them can help you pause before real damage is done.
Be cautious about fast emotional connections
Scammers often move relationships along quickly, expressing strong feelings early and talking about a future together within weeks. This intensity is designed to build trust before any requests for money are made.
Watch for reasons why you cannot meet
Common excuses include working offshore, serving in the military, living abroad, or being tied up by medical or legal issues. AI-generated videos and images are now being used to reinforce these stories, but a consistent inability to meet in person is always a major red flag.
Never send money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency
Requests for money are often framed as temporary help for travel costs, emergencies, business problems, or legal fees. Scammers may ask for bank transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency because they are harder to trace and recover.
Be wary of secrecy and isolation
Victims are often encouraged to keep the relationship private or to distrust friends, family, or banks who raise concerns. This isolation makes it easier for the scam to continue.
Question financial offers that feel too good to be true
Promises to help with investments, property purchases, or clearing debts are commonly used to deepen trust. These offers are part of the manipulation, not genuine acts of support.
Pause if pressure increases
Urgent deadlines, threats of arrest, frozen accounts, or sudden crises are designed to override rational thinking. Taking time to stop and speak to someone you trust can break the cycle.
Remember, if something feels off, it probably is. You are never wasting anyone’s time by asking questions or seeking advice.
TLW Solicitors’ point of view
+ −Sarah Spruce, Legal Director at TLW Solicitors, says:
“Romance scams are not just financial crimes; they are deeply personal, emotionally damaging experiences that often leave victims feeling embarrassed, isolated, and reluctant to come forward for help.
We regularly see cases where intelligent, cautious people have been targeted during periods of loneliness, change, or vulnerability. AI has amplified the problem, but the responsibility always lies with the scammer, not the victim.
These cases are also increasingly complex. Funds may be moved rapidly through multiple accounts, sometimes overseas, and victims are often unsure whether they have any realistic options for recovery. The introduction of stronger protections around Authorised Push Payment fraud has helped some victims, but outcomes depend heavily on timing, evidence, and how the fraud was handled by financial institutions.
I would encourage anyone affected by a romance scam or other APP fraud to get in touch with the specialist team at TLW Solicitors for a free, no-obligation chat about what your next steps may be.”
How can TLW Solicitors help?
+ −TLW Solicitors advises individuals who have lost money through romance scams and other forms of financial crime. We can help by:
- Reviewing what happened and identifying whether your bank or payment provider failed in its duties
- Advising on potential recovery routes under the APP reimbursement framework or private prosecution route
- Communicating with banks, payment providers, and relevant organisations on your behalf
- Guiding you through complaints, disputes, and escalation where appropriate
- Providing clear, practical advice at a time when things may feel overwhelming
Early advice can make a real difference, but support is still available even if some time has passed.
Contact us
+ −If you or someone you care about has been affected by a financial crime such as a romance scam, you do not have to deal with it alone. Contact us for a confidential and no obligation initial discussion about your situation and the options available to you. We will listen carefully, explain your position clearly, and help you decide what to do next.
Call us on 0191 293 1500, email info@tlwsolicitors.co.uk or complete one of the forms below.
It is important to get advice as soon as possible, as strict time limits can apply.
Minimum case values apply.
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