Becky Holmes

In 2020, having received dozens of DMs on Twitter from romance scammers, Becky started wasting their time and ‘outing’ their accounts. She is now a well-known expert on fraud. Her first book, Keanu Reeves Is Not in Love with You, received outstanding reviews from critics, journalists, industry professionals and everyday readers. Her second book, The Future of Fraud, came out in April 2026. She also freelances for national press.

What makes you a Risky Woman?

I started my life again in my 40s. I had survived a terrible few years, mentally and physically. I was 42, on benefits, single and struggling to see a future. I somehow turned a silly lockdown hobby into a new wonderful career by taking as many risks as I could and never thinking ‘I can’t’.

Name your top 3 achievements

1. Writing two books about something as boring-sounding as fraud that people actually wanted to read!
2. Reinventing myself and my career after a significant period of physical and mental illness
3. Getting a hug from Dermot O’Leary after I’d been on This Morning (he’s smaller than you think)

What is the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career?

When I started writing my first book I had no experience, no advance, no contacts and no clue as to whether anyone would read the finished product. The process from typing my first word to seeing it on the shelf was two years long. It was one hell of a risk.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I’m frightened of bananas.

What is the best quality for successful leaders in Risk?

I think leadership in any industry is about knowing your stuff, but equally choosing to nurture and encourage new talent and surround yourself with people who will challenge you – leaders aren’t always right. So I guess the quality would be openness.