Disclaimer: The names in asterisks (*) were changed for privacy.

In the digital age, looking for love and companionship has transcended the traditional boundaries of physical interaction.

This led many people to explore the uncharted waters of online dating.

While the internet has successfully matched countless couples, it has also become a breeding ground for deception and heartache.

Karen* shared her cautionary tale, echoing the experiences of many who were left not only emotionally shattered but also financially devastated.

Karen's story began after a promise of love from a man who claimed to live overseas.

After weeks of conversation and building trust, her online beau asked if he could borrow $50,000 to fund his education.

Trusting that she was helping her partner, Karen compiled and sent the money.

Karen* believed she was helping her online partner with their education, but ended up losing a huge sum of money. Image Credit: Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio

As Karen set out overseas to meet her online partner, he never showed up and duped Karen both emotionally and financially.

The toll of such scams is immeasurable, and Karen's situation is just one of many reports.

South Australia Police (SAPOL) Cybercrime Division's Sergeant David Mitchell warned about these romance scams.

'Scammers typically create fake online profiles designed to lure you in,' Sergeant Mitchell shared.

Some of these scammers assume the identities of real individuals living abroad.

'They have even been known to phone their victims as a first introduction. These scams are also known as "catfishing",' he added.

As part of Scams Awareness Week, SAPOL also shared that South Australians alone lost about $2.1 million in 2023 through romance scams.

Australians, in general, have been swindled out of more than $40 million through the same scheme.

According to additional data, these scammers often target people over 55 years old and reach out to them via social media or dating website platforms.

Romance baiting is a technique where scammers cultivate a relationship before luring victims into fraudulent investments.

Telltale signs of these scams include swift declarations of love, promises of commitment, excuses for malfunctioning webcams, and postponed meetings.

Scammers also tell their victims what to tell bank tellers to avoid suspicion.

Authorities advised not to send money to anonymous online accounts.

They also reminded citizens about maintaining a healthy scepticism and making decisions without emotional influence.

Always verify the identity of an online admirer through image search and be wary of inconsistencies in their stories.

Lastly, stay cautious with personal information and do not give them out to anyone.

The rise of online dating has expanded the horizons for finding love, but it also increased the risk of falling victim to scams.

It's essential to approach online relationships with caution, awareness, and a strong sense of self-preservation.

Key Takeaways

• An Adelaide woman named Karen lost $50,000 to a romance scammer who she met online.
• Romance scams cost Australians $40 million in 2023, with South Australians losing $2.1 million.
• Scammers often target older individuals over 55 and create elaborate stories to ask for money.
• Police advised to never send money to someone you haven't met in person and conduct an image search to verify online identities.

Have you or someone you know experienced a romance scam? Share your experiences and online safety tips in the comments below to help others recognise the warning signs.

 

[Taufa6220]

DO not send any money at all to nobody
If you’re unsure go talk to your bank manager

 

[Rujam]

I get friendship requests, they are always in high positions, I even got one from someone named Lyn, but no photo so why would I friend her/him?

 

[Janet g]

I can not believe that a person could be so naive as to send that much money to a person that they have never meet. They deserve to lose their money.

Sure they are naive ,thick as too short planks ect BUT they don’t “ deserve” to loose there money

 

[Jules201]

It really is so sad that these people fall for these scams. A few years ago I was in my local post office and an old guy in front of me was really upset that he couldn't send money to his girlfriend in Russia. I think it was the big amount of money that he wanted to send that caused the issue and the postmaster couldn't convince the old man that it wasn't him for not allowing the transfer to go through.

 

[Sue neal]

Red flag if the victim is told what to tell the bank. Honestly why would you send money to someone you’ve never met. Desperation is no excuse to stupidity. I can’t feel sorry for these people. There’s so many warnings against these scammers. I’m alone and I would NEVER fall for these creeps. I like my money too much.

 

[Willfish]

You can warn people, talk to them, tell them it is a scam, do anything you can to try to help, but in the end you cannot rescue some people from their own stupidity. They are a scammers dream!!

 

[deni67]

This was one of my favourites over the years, it's not funny of course but geez, how could she be duped 3 times..
Her name was Suzie and her last husband from Uganda is, or was, still getting money from her even after she moved back to Australia.
The mind boggles lol

'My bank account was cleared out of my father's inheritance'

A Queensland grandmother has pleaded with people not to be as gullible as she was, after losing hundreds of...

www.9news.com.au

 

[deni67]

DO not send any money at all to nobody
If you’re unsure go talk to your bank manager

A close friend of mine from NSW who came to Adelaide a few times where we met each other, lend each other money every fortnight on our pension cheque days, it's usually between $60 and $100 and has been going on for over two years now.
We have never once reneged on paying it back within the week or fortnight, it's just so good to know I have him there if I need him!

 

[BarryOliver]

I post some of my art on my Facebook page and I receive friend requests from many other artists. I now look at the person's profile page and look at how many posts, and when those posts were created. Most scammers create a page with few if any posts. However, some of these scammers have changed tactics by creating a dozen or more posts. I now look at the dates they were posted. I find most of these scammers post articles a day or a few days apart, this is a red flag. I often see two or three posts per day over a few days just to try to give the perception of a well-established Facebook user.

I don't accept friend requests unless I actually know the person or a person is a known friend of a friend.

 

[Rosi Gordon]

Loneliness is no excuse for stupidity. There is so much information about scammers, and to be careful of something that looks suspicious, and never send money to people you don't know. I'm sorry, but I can't feel sympathy for someone who was willingly duped. Surely there had to be a niggle of doubt in her mind. Where was her commonsense?

I totally agree, I no longer feel sorry for people who fall for what is an obvious scam as the information is out there constantly that it's happening.

 

[Dennis]

I have lived on my own for nearly 8 years since my wife passed away, I rely a lot on my computer but anyone asking to be a friend is immediately cut off, you never know how many other friends they are bringing in with them. after my English football club SDC is my favorite entry on my computer and I enjoy adding my jokes morning and afternoon, I know some of them are a bit weak but you have to take the bad with the good. Cheers Dennis.

 

[GrannyJA!]

The thought has occurred to me also.

At least 2 people close to me, also refuse to have anything to do with Facebook.

 

[Staffordshire Whippet]

II have just had an email supposedly from myGov Team which is another scam as it came from ASSAS which was sent to "undisclosed recipients" These people must think we are all stupid:


You have a new payment update in your myGov inbox

Click here to view and update refund details

Regards,

myGov Team.

They only need 1 in 100 recipents to be stupid, and they've had a Win.

 

[Isis]

Scammers would have the audacity. They are criminals with no moral compass.

Watched enough dr Phil to see the problem. Being elderly and a bit of a hermit I have many f book friends I have chatted to for years, branching out to their friends and them to mine. But always check they are kosher

 

[Veggiepatch]

Watched enough dr Phil to see the problem. Being elderly and a bit of a hermit I have many f book friends I have chatted to for years, branching out to their friends and them to mine. But always check they are kosher

Watching Dr Phil is falling for a scam in itself!

 

[Squizzy1]

I post some of my art on my Facebook page and I receive friend requests from many other artists. I now look at the person's profile page and look at how many posts, and when those posts were created. Most scammers create a page with few if any posts. However, some of these scammers have changed tactics by creating a dozen or more posts. I now look at the dates they were posted. I find most of these scammers post articles a day or a few days apart, this is a red flag. I often see two or three posts per day over a few days just to try to give the perception of a well-established Facebook user.

It's commonsense not to take at face value anything shown or said in cyber space, and to take every precaution b4 accepting anyone/thing.

 

[deni67]

I post some of my art on my Facebook page and I receive friend requests from many other artists. I now look at the person's profile page and look at how many posts, and when those posts were created. Most scammers create a page with few if any posts. However, some of these scammers have changed tactics by creating a dozen or more posts. I now look at the dates they were posted. I find most of these scammers post articles a day or a few days apart, this is a red flag. I often see two or three posts per day over a few days just to try to give the perception of a well-established Facebook user.

I too post my art on my Facebook page, mine is 3D art and I have a lot of other like minded artists on my friends list, but I always check before I add them to make sure they are legit..
Anyone else that sends me a friend request I question whether we know each other or not, if they come back saying that no, they just wanted to have me as a friend after they saw my profile, which is impossible because you can only see my profile picture which is of my deceased son, I block them straight away..

 

[Janet g]

II have just had an email supposedly from myGov Team which is another scam as it came from ASSAS which was sent to "undisclosed recipients" These people must think we are all stupid:


You have a new payment update in your myGov inbox

Click here to view and update refund details

Regards,

myGov Team.

I got it too strait in the junk box

 

[Towing]

I have had a few on email supposedly from my provider recently - using exactly the same letterhead.
I have had a few stating that my payment via direct debit failed. I check my Bank Statement then delete the email. Either way I now give them a call to find out if they have sent any.

 

[oldsalt]

II have just had an email supposedly from myGov Team which is another scam as it came from ASSAS which was sent to "undisclosed recipients" These people must think we are all stupid:


You have a new payment update in your myGov inbox

Click here to view and update refund details

Regards,

myGov Team.

I have also been receiving same over the last few weeks. I just put them automatically in the block file and delete. Also latest lot is from Origin Energy, as I am in WA no such animal. They are advising that I have a refund and sent details etc. Once again moron's go straight into the same bin as the MyGov.