Swiped right… and scammed: Guildford ranked third in the UK for dating fraud

A new study by Tarotoo analysed reported romance fraud cases per 10,000 residents to identify the UK cities where people are most exposed to dating scams. By using a per-capita approach rather than total case numbers, the research offers a fair comparison between cities of different sizes and highlights where residents are statistically more likely to encounter romance fraud. The data is based on reports recorded by the City of London Police, the national lead force for fraud.

Guildford ranks third nationally, recording 24.07 reported romance fraud cases per 10,000 residents, just behind Salisbury in second place. While this is less than half Carmarthen’s figure, it remains significantly higher than most other UK cities, including larger urban centres such as Leeds, Birmingham, and Bristol.

Guildford’s position near the top of the ranking may be influenced by its status as a prosperous commuter town, with a population that is often perceived as financially stable, a key target for romance scammers. Strong transport links to London, high average incomes, and frequent online dating use may all contribute to the town’s elevated risk.

Carmarthen leads the UK with 69.38 cases per 10,000 residents, followed by Salisbury at 26.76. Guildford comes third with 24.07, while Maidstone is fourth at 21.46. Affluent commuter towns such as Chelmsford and St Albans also appear in the top ten, illustrating a broader pattern of scammers targeting wealthier communities. By contrast, the UK’s biggest cities, including Glasgow, Manchester, London, and Birmingham, report fewer than 1.5 cases per 10,000 residents once population size is taken into account.

Romance fraud is consistently identified by UK authorities as one of the most emotionally damaging forms of fraud. National reporting bodies and law enforcement agencies have repeatedly warned that victims often suffer long-term financial and psychological harm, with losses frequently going unreported due to shame or embarrassment.

The rise of encrypted messaging apps, AI-generated profile photos, and long-form emotional manipulation has made dating scams harder to detect. While national campaigns have improved awareness, this data suggests that vulnerability varies sharply by location, particularly in smaller and wealthier cities.

Full list of the UK cities with the most dating scams: