THE Welsh accent is often noted for its friendliness and trustworthiness, giving people a perceived authenticity.

But anyone can be a scammer, and that doesn’t exclude those with Welsh accents, or those who are Welsh speakers.

Ahead of Dydd Santes Dwynwen (Sunday, January 25) and Valentine’s Day (February 14), Lawrence Davies – Wales Partnerships Manager at the Money and Pensions Service, is urging people in Wales to be vigilant about romance scams.

Over £11m was reported as lost to financial crimes and scams to the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) in 2025. 635 people contacted us with an average loss per person of £17,785. And the true figure from those who don’t report it might be much greater.

Lawrence Davies says:

“People think that you can’t be scammed in Welsh, and that’s sadly a dangerous myth. Scammers speak whatever language their targets speak. This means that scams can and do absolutely happen in Welsh.

“Dydd Santes Dwynwen is a special occasion for everyone in Wales to come together as a community and mark a tradition unique to our nation.

“But that doesn’t mean that scammers won’t use Dydd Santes Dwynwen to target people.

“I’m urging people in Wales to be vigilant, and I want to make sure that those who have been affected by scams know they can talk to an expert at MoneyHelper for free, non-judgemental, confidential support.”

MoneyHelper helps you to understand the situation and take protective next steps, warns about the risks of secondary scamming, and provides a route to recovery. All our scams information is available in Welsh.

People should also report the crime to Report Fraud.

Lawrence says:

“One in three Welsh adults said they would feel embarrassed, stupid, or foolish telling their friends they’d been scammed.

“If you have lost money to a scam, there’s absolutely no need to feel embarrassed or ashamed. You have been targeted by criminals, and you are not to blame.

“The first step is to report the scam, and it can also be helpful to talk to someone you trust.”

Visit MoneyHelper.org.uk for more information about scams and how to protect yourself or call our scam line on 0800 015 4402 for free.