Grooming for Money
What Financial Grooming Looks Like
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Do Adult Groomers Target On or Offline?
CAAGe took a deep dive into its research data to see whether groomers are particularly likely to start their grooming online or off, and what the role of dating sites is:
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Victims of romance fraud tricked out of £106m in past year
Victims of romance fraud were tricked out of £106m in past year, by Harry Craig (17 October 2025).
Victims included Varun Yadav, a London banker who lost £40,000 to a woman called “Rekha Shah”.
If even someone like this can be scammed, we all can!
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The Fraudsters Breaking Hearts and Emptying Bank Accounts
Lizzie Cernik talks to a range of experts about the terrible heartbreak and financial loss faced by three victims who met their con artist ‘partners’ on dating sites,
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On line dating fraud
An on line dating fraud brings in the private detectives: Meet the detective exposing the online dating frauds who take advantage of lonely singletons
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David's story
David was groomed online via a dating site.
Victim Support took up his case and tell his story: here
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It can even happen to Richard!
Richard Branson explains how he nearly got groomed into falling for a very clever scam that sounds like something from James Bond, involving government, kidnapping, ransoms and more.
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Romeo 'Robert's story
South African ‘Robert’ was deliberately groomed by sick individuals on a gay online dating site, Romeo, for a beating rather than the date he was expecting.
But in addition to broken ribs, Robert had also been groomed for money
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Wendy's story
Wendy was groomed for money.
She is a professional, trained counsellor, and has shared her story because if she can be groomed, so can anyone - an important understanding for people who have been groomed. (It’s not your fault!)
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So your partner took your money
What can you do about it?
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Q&A: Recovering money
Q One of my family members was groomed and had a LOT of money stolen. The person responsible was jailed last year. Is there any way of getting the money back or who to speak to about this?
Sources of Support
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Action Fraud is the national fraud and cyber crime reporting centre. Run by the police, this is the place to report fraud: Action Fraud
Tel: 0300 123 2040
They may report to the police.
Action Fraud does not have investigation powers - reports taken by Action Fraud are sent to the NFIB.
The NFIB’s systems assess reports of fraud and cyber crime from across the UK, in order to build a national picture of where fraud and cyber crime is taking place and how.
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Age UK has advice and support for scammers targets (victims) https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/scams-fraud/support-for-scam-victims
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Busy, Brilliant and free!
The Citizen’s Advice bureau can help you unravel your legal options: CAB
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If your scammer took money from you, AnyScam have ways for you to report your scammer on their international database:
https://anyscam.com/
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The Action Fraud National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit (AF-NECVCU) is a team of specialist advocates that supports vulnerable people who have fallen victim to fraud and cybercrime, to make them feel safer and reduce the possibility of them becoming a repeat victim.
They tailor advice to victims’ needs to support recovery and prevent re-victimisation.
They can only advise, not investigate.
https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/economic-crime-victim-care-unit-ecvcu
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Complaints can be escalated to the Ombudsman if you’re dissatisfied with the way your bank or building society has treated you after reporting a scam.
Tel: 0800 023 4567.
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If you’re here, there’s sadly a likelihood you’ve already been scammed.
However Friends Against Scams exists to help spot and avoid scamming.
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CAAGe: Sources of legal support
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Love Said is an organisation made by fraud victims for fraud victims, coming soon.
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Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) is a charity dedicated to raising awareness of and transforming responses to, economic abuse.
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Victim Support offers all kinds of free., confidential support to people who are suffering the consequences of crime> website
Tel 08 08 16 89 111
Useful information
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How to spot financial catfishing
Useful article from Catch the Catfish: Financial Scammer Catfish Red Flags
Note: What is catfishing?
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FBI: Common romance scams
FBI: Common scams and crimes - romance scams
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How to report fraud and cybercrime
Action Fraud (UK police site) explains how to report fraud and cybercrime.
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Social Media Phishing
How to spot and avoid social media phishing scams. (From Stay Safe Online)
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Transferring money safely
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Groomed for Money
The victim, who is elderly and has medical issues, had a large sum wheedled out of him by someone in a position of trust. (The victim lives in England.) CAAGe shares answers to a family’s question: Groomed for Money
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Victim Support's Response to Government Fraud Strategy
Victim Support issued a response to the Government’s new Fraud Strategy in May 2023.
We couldn’t have put it better ourselves: OK, but not ambitious enough!
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The 'Celebrity' Scam
Increasingly people are being scammed by individuals claiming to be celebrities, from famous actors and singers to TV presenters.
This article looks at someone pretending to be Nicholas Cage, and is worth reading o see how these people work:
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Someone targeted me for a scam
Chayn’s Guide to Online Scammers explores h”ow online scams manipulate trust and emotions to pressure people into sharing money, images, or personal information. We cover common types of scams—including romance scams, sextortion, and AI-enhanced fraud—along with warning signs, prevention strategies, and steps to take after being targeted.”
Coming soon:
What is grooming for money/financial grooming?
Recognising ‘red flags’;
Legal rights (UK)
Research
Take action
Policing and reporting