Romance scam | CC Recovery Ltd

How the scam works

Romance scammers invest weeks or months in building trust, often through dating apps or social media, before a crisis or opportunity appears. Requests usually grow over time and the person always has a reason not to meet or video call.

1
A new connection

Someone contacts you on a dating app, social media or a game. They are attentive, complimentary and quick to suggest moving to a private messaging app.
2
Trust over time

Over weeks or months they share “personal” stories and plans for the future, but always have a reason they can’t video call or meet.
3
A crisis or opportunity

An emergency appears: a medical bill, a travel problem, customs fees, or a chance to “invest together”. The requests start small.
4
Growing requests

The amounts grow and the pressure increases. You may be asked to keep things secret or to receive and forward money for them.

An example of how it happens

A widower met someone on a dating site who said they worked overseas. After two months of daily messages, they needed help paying a hospital bill, then a flight home. He made six transfers before a friend noticed the pattern.

Illustrative example based on common cases, not a real client.

Warning signs

The relationship moves quickly and moves off the original platform
They avoid video calls or meeting in person
Sudden emergencies, medical bills, travel costs or customs fees
Suggestions to invest together, often in cryptocurrency
Requests to keep the relationship or payments secret

How to protect yourself

Be cautious if someone you haven’t met in person asks for money
Do a reverse image search on their profile photos
Talk to family or friends about new online relationships
Never receive or pass on money for someone else

Can you get your money back?

Often, yes. It depends mainly on how you paid. These are the routes that usually apply to this type of scam.

Bank transfer (Faster Payments or CHAPS)

Since 7 October 2024, UK banks must reimburse most victims of authorised push payment fraud, up to £85,000 per claim, if it is reported within 13 months. Earlier payments may fall under the voluntary CRM Code or the bank’s duty of care.
How the money-back rules work
Debit or credit card

You may be able to ask your card provider for a chargeback, or claim under Section 75 for credit card purchases between £100 and £30,000. Chargebacks have strict time limits, so act quickly.
Gift cards, cash or money transfer services

These are much harder to recover. Report it immediately to the provider and the police. In some cases, the firm that processed the payment may still be asked to explain why it didn’t intervene.

A general guide to UK rules. Every case depends on its facts, and nobody can guarantee an outcome. Check your bank.

If it has just happened

Speed matters. These steps protect you and give your bank the best chance to act.

Call your bank first, using the number on your card or its official website. Do not use numbers given to you by the caller or in a message.

A woman on the phone to her bank, holding her card and looking at her laptop.

Contact your bank now
Call the number on the back of your card or on your bank's official website. Tell them it is fraud. The sooner they know, the better the chance of stopping or tracing payments.
Stop further payments
Do not send any more money, even if you are promised a refund, a release fee or a withdrawal. Stop contact with the scammer.
Secure your accounts
Change passwords for your email and banking, remove any remote-access apps, and turn on two-step verification.
Report it
Report the crime to the police or your national fraud reporting service and keep the reference number.
Keep the evidence
Save messages, emails, screenshots, website addresses, wallet addresses and statements showing every payment.

A case handler wearing a headset, listening to a caller and taking notes.

How we can help

We build the case, you follow every step

We review what happened for free, help you gather the evidence, and pursue a complaint with your bank, escalating to the ombudsman if needed. You can also claim for free yourself.

Start your case See our process

Questions about this type of scam

I feel embarrassed. Will I be judged?

No. Romance scams are run by skilled criminals and happen to thoughtful, intelligent people. We handle every case with care and discretion.

I made lots of payments over months. Can they all be claimed?

Each payment is looked at, and a long pattern of payments can support the argument that your bank should have stepped in.

Could my vulnerability at the time help my claim?

It can. Under the rules, banks should take extra care with customers who are vulnerable, for example after bereavement or during illness.

Can you guarantee I will get my money back?

No. Nobody can honestly guarantee a recovery. Outcomes depend on how the payments were made, what your bank did, the rules that apply and the evidence available. Be wary of anyone who promises a guaranteed result.

Do I have to use a company to make a claim?

No. You can complain to your bank yourself for free and, if needed, escalate to the ombudsman yourself. Our Claim it yourself guide explains how. Some people prefer help with the evidence and the process, and that is what we offer.

What does it cost?

Our fees are set out in full on the Our fees page before you sign anything. You will never be asked to pay a "release fee", a "tax" or anything in cryptocurrency to receive recovered money.

How long does it take?

It varies. Banks usually respond to a complaint within a few weeks. If a case goes to the ombudsman, it can take several months. Your portal shows each step as it happens.

All questions