Romance scams are on the rise, with Santander reporting a staggering £3.8 million loss to fraudsters in the last six months. This represents a 27% increase compared to the previous period, with the average victim losing a significant £4,500. The bank warns that scammers target people of all ages, with victims ranging from 18 to 93 years old. This alarming trend highlights the importance of being vigilant and taking precautions to protect yourself from online scams.