Is it this common to be duped by an online Romeo?

[CheeseandPlumChutney]

I was reading an article that said that last year women in the UK were scammed out of more than £9 million by men through online dating. I'm sure it happens the other way round with men getting duped too.

I knew it was a thing but didn't realise the extent of this and how many people were being scammed and for such large amounts of money. The woman in the article thought the guy she was talking to was TV chef James Martin and for some reason she agreed to lend him £5k.

I haven't done online dating but just wondered if people asking for money from potential partners is as widespread as it's being reported?

Before anyone asks, I'm not a journalist looking for a story - just a curious person who is amazed that £9 million was extracted by online Romeos (especially as I'd imagine someone asking for money would be a red flag to most).

I’d think that was right. Just look at the cover of Take a Break. Also, there was a BBC series about it, presented by Kym Marsh, where they proved to people that they were being scammed. They were some very lonely people, desperate to believe that if they just helped their scammer pay medical bills etc, they’d get their money back and have everything they ever wanted.

I'm watching For Love or Money now, the stories beggar belief.

A fool and their money are soon parted as the old saying goes