Summer is over, routines are back, and for many, that means a return to the world of online dating. But with swipes and matches comes a growing risk: romance fraud.
Fraudsters are no longer just hiding behind stock images or stolen selfies. Increasingly, they’re using slick digital tricks from manipulated images to eerily convincing videos and even cloned voices to make themselves appear real. The aim is simple: build trust, exploit emotions, and walk away with hard-earned money.
According to Garda figures, 245 people have reported romance fraud since 2020, with average losses of approximately €28,500, adding up to well over €7 million stolen in total. In some of the most extreme cases, a woman lost over €450,000 across 18 separate transactions, while a man was defrauded of more than €380,000.
“Romance scams are different from other types of fraud because they’re built on emotional manipulation,” says George Foley of ESET Ireland. “People don’t just lose money; they lose trust, dignity, and often confidence in their relationships. The technology criminals are now using makes these scams even harder to spot, which is why awareness is vital.”
He explains that many victims only realise what has happened when it is far too late, because the scams are designed to feel real and to build trust over time. With more people expected to turn back to dating apps this autumn, he warns that the risk is only going to grow.
For more information, visit www.eset.ie
