The cost-of-living crisis is behind 60 per cent rise in “romance scammers”.
Victims lose on average £10,000 to people they trusted in a relationship.
Barclays Bank research reveals more than a third of Britons have been targeted by scammers or know someone who has.
Ross Martin, of Barclays, says the surge has been down to scammers developing “new tactic”.
The bank says criminals are using the cost-of-living crisis to manipulate victims into sending money.
More than a quarter of people admitting they would send cash to someone they were dating to help with everyday costs such as food and bills.
The most vulnerable victims of the scammers are aged between 51 to 69.
They account for more than a third of all money lost.