[gkabbara]

Beware of Love Lies: How Romance Scammers Target Seniors (Real Example + Protection Tips)​

A Real-Life Romance Scam Example: "The James Story"​

(Based on common reports to Scamwatch Australia)

1. Step 1: The Perfect Match
   • A senior (let’s call her Margaret) receives a message on Facebook from "James," a charming widower claiming to be an engineer working overseas. His profile has polished photos and heartfelt posts about family values.
2. Step 2: Rapid Emotional Bonding
   • James showers Margaret with compliments, shares fake stories about his "struggles," and claims he’s never felt this connection before. They chat daily, and he promises to visit Australia soon.
3. Step 3: The Crisis Strikes
   • After weeks of trust-building, James suddenly faces an "emergency":
     • "My daughter is in the hospital! I need $5,000 for surgery."
     • "My contract is delayed—I can’t afford a flight home without your help."
4. Step 4: Pressure & Secrecy
   • James insists Margaret keep their relationship private, claiming "others won’t understand our love." He guilts her into sending money via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
5. Step 5: Disappearance
   • After Margaret sends funds, James vanishes. His profile deletes, or he invents new crises to extract more money. Heartbroken, she realizes she’s been scammed.

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How to Spot a Romance Scam​

• Too good to be true: Profiles with model-like photos or overly flattering messages.
• Avoids video calls: Excuses like "bad internet" or "shyness."
• Urgent money requests: Crisis stories involving hospitals, visas, or debts.
• Isolation tactics: Pressuring you to keep the relationship secret.

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Protect Yourself: 7 Safety Rules​

1. Verify identities: Reverse-image search their photos (they might be stolen).
2. Never send money to someone you’ve never met in person.
3. Talk to family/friends: Scammers thrive on secrecy.
4. Block & report suspicious profiles immediately.
5. Avoid sharing personal details (address, bank info, etc.).
6. Use trusted platforms: Scammers often move conversations to private apps/email.
7. Report scams to Scamwatch or your bank.

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A Message to Seniors:​

"Your kindness and hope for companionship are strengths—not weaknesses. Stay vigilant, ask questions, and remember: true love never demands your savings. Share this with friends to protect our community!"
Stay Safe, Stay Smart!
(Report suspicious activity and seek support if targeted.)

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Statistics: In 2022, Australians lost over $40 million to romance scams, with seniors most affected. Don’t let love blind you to red flags!

 

[Suzanne rose]

I think the red flags were pretty clear.
First one is being asked to keep the relationship quiet and the second one is asking for money no matter what story is behind it.

I think it's sad that someone would be so lonely that they would fall for this.

Working in bridal I had come across a lot of women who found live on line. But sadly there are scammers out there .

Another red flag is that they will never do a video call .

Easy fix, never ever give money , let it be know from the start that you have absolutely no money that you are pretty poor and if they are a scanner they will back off pretty quickly

 

[Zemo]

Of course, shows on the cretiniser such as Married at First Naughty and the like have nothing to answer for, have they?

 

[mylittletibbies]

Of course, shows on the cretiniser such as Married at First Naughty and the like have nothing to answer for, have they?

Personally I think anybody who watches MAFS and other such garbage are a bit lacking in the brains department.
I have an acquaintance who actually believes this show is real.
These shows are an insult to people's intelligence.

 

[Suzanne rose]

Personally I think anybody who watches MAFS and other such garbage are a bit lacking in the brains department.
I have an acquaintance who actually believes this show is real.
These shows are an insult to people's intelligence.

People actually believe these couples marry. It's all pretend

 

[mylittletibbies]

People actually believe these couples marry. It's all pretend

The person I was talking about who believes this show is real is so bright she wasn't even smart enough to get insulted when I commented that anyone who watched those shows and believed them was a bit lala.
She just kept waffling on about the previous nights episode as though it was really happening.

 

[Zemo]

The person I was talking about who believes this show is real is so bright she wasn't even smart enough to get insulted when I commented that anyone who watched those shows and believed them was a bit lala.
She just kept waffling on about the previous nights episode as though it was really happening.

But doesn't it help the "ratings" and the increased revenue from the comicals?

 

[mylittletibbies]

But doesn't it help the "ratings" and the increased revenue from the comicals?

What's the old saying "small things amuse small minds".

 

[Beezzzy]

Personally I think anybody who watches MAFS and other such garbage are a bit lacking in the brains department.
I have an acquaintance who actually believes this show is real.
These shows are an insult to people's intelligence.

They're entertainment, that's all, if u don't get a laugh then don't watch. Simple

 

[mylittletibbies]

They're entertainment, that's all, if u don't get a laugh then don't watch. Simple

Entertainment????
I don't watch, but they keep shoving their ridiculous advertisements down your throat and that's enough to put you in a stupor.

 

[Zemo]

Entertainment????
I don't watch, but they keep shoving their ridiculous advertisements down your throat and that's enough to put you in a stupor.

You call that garbage "entertainment", Beezzzy?

 

[Sherril54]

I have a few friends who have used dating sites, and so far they have all faced this type of preditor online. They are still all single. It is so sad that people are so lonely that they would be caught up in this type of scam.

 

[Jest]

I DO NOT WATCH IS THE LINE. bULLOCKS, YOU ALL KNOW WHAT IT IS. you would not comment unless you knew the programme.

 

[Observer]

People actually believe these couples marry. It's all pretend

You do get the odd couple that do marry but whether it lasts or not is another story Rabbit

 

[Suzanne rose]

The person I was talking about who believes this show is real is so bright she wasn't even smart enough to get insulted when I commented that anyone who watched those shows and believed them was a bit lala.
She just kept waffling on about the previous nights episode as though it was really happening.

maybe she thought about it later

 

[Suzanne rose]

I DO NOT WATCH IS THE LINE. bULLOCKS, YOU ALL KNOW WHAT IT IS. you would not comment unless you knew the programme.

I don't watch it but my 22 and 24 year olds do. And that's how I know about it

 

[Observer]

maybe she thought about it later

Anything for ratings
I do know of one girl that went on the show and she is actually a very lovely girl but what the show does, it twists things around just to make things sound scandalous and hook you in to watch more, and to see what happens on the next episode
As an end result, she actually suffered some from having been on the show. Her real life image was somewhat tarnished

 

[Luckyus]

• "My contract is delayed—I can’t afford a flight home without your help." Give me your details and I'll see if the airlines can accommodate you in facilitation of any help as all my funds are tied up, where I get a small stipend.