In the digital age, the search for companionship often leads many to the vast world of the internet.

Online platforms have become the new meeting grounds for those seeking love and connection.

However, this virtual space has its perils. As we embrace the convenience of digital relationships, we must also be wary of the darker side of the internet: scams that prey on the vulnerable.

A cautionary tale recently unfolded in Cairns. A woman fell victim to a romance scam and lost a staggering $200,000.

The Cairns Police have sounded the alarm, urging residents to exercise caution when engaging with potential partners online.

Cairns Police warned us to stay vigilant against romance scams that result in significant financial loss. Credit: Shutterstock

Romance scams are not just about the emotional toll; they can also lead to substantial financial loss.

The scam typically starts with an unsolicited message or friend request from a scammer using a fake social media or dating app profile.

Cairns Police have highlighted that these profiles can seem incredibly genuine, making it difficult to spot the deception.

The scammer then lures the victim away from the original platform to a more private messaging app, where they begin to weave a believable narrative.

They might claim to be deployed overseas and unable to access their funds, creating a scenario that tugs at the heartstrings.

In the recent case, a 60-year-old woman from Cairns was methodically befriended by a scammer who, over time, built a relationship of trust before exploiting it for financial gain.

Detective Acting Inspector Cindy Searle emphasised that these scammers are skilled manipulators who use sophisticated tactics to gain trust and encourage victims to part with their money.

The scammers' strategies are varied and can include requests for cash sent in packages, online transfers of funds or cryptocurrency, or even opening accounts that the scammer can access.

Inspector Searle advised individuals to critically assess their knowledge of the person they're communicating with online.

If you have yet to meet them in person, you cannot be certain of their true identity.

For those who suspect they might be caught in the web of a romance scam, resources such as ScamWatch, ID Care, and the Queensland Police Service website offer valuable information and support.

The Australian Federal Police warned last Valentine's Day about a financial scam called ‘pig butchering’.

Scammers prey on lonely singles via messaging apps, building trust over months or even years before luring them into investing in fake businesses. You can read more about it here.

Key Takeaways

• Cairns Police have issued a warning to be vigilant of romance scams that can lead to significant financial loss.
• A 60-year-old Cairns woman lost $200,000 to a scammer who gained her trust through a fake profile on a social media platform.
• Detective Acting Inspector Cindy Searle highlighted the manipulative tactics used by scammers and reminded victims that they are not at fault.
• potential victims need to be cautious and confirm the identity of online acquaintances before making any financial transactions; those affected should seek assistance from ScamWatch, ID care, and the Queensland Police Service.

Have you or someone you know ever experienced an online romance scam? What steps did you take to protect yourself afterwards? Let us know in the comments below.

 

[Ian Crane-Luff]

It is essential the matter is reported to the authorities to prevent this happening to the next lady he meets, The police can be very discreet when needs be.

 

[Jest]

I met in person a man from a dating site& was groomed from the beginning unbeknownst to me by the most deceitful scammer who went on to steal my jewellery, brand new car and a large amount of money. This particular con artist made it very clear to me that he is affiliated with a very well known outlaw bikie gang and should I decide to report him to the Police that my life and the lives of my family would be in danger from him and his affiliates. Absolutely frightening & the most horrible & soul destroying experience.

all these people are liars for heavens sake do not believe unless you hear it from the mouth then be careful.

 

[Jest]

one has to be desperate to go on line.

 

[magpie1]

one has to be desperate to go on line.

Some people have lived a lonely life for long enough....they want some companionship in their lives and are no longer sure about ways to meet someone, so they go to social media dating sites and get taken in by the low animals that frequent these sites.....it's very sad to hear their stories and the losses involved. You can only assume that they are unaware of the scammers and treat these scammers as TRUE and TRUSTWORTHY and so unfortunately they do end up being robbed.....some more than others. Despite the fact that they may not have done enough due diligence about these sites...I still find myself feeling sorry for their losses.

 

[Jest]

Some people have lived a lonely life for long enough....they want some companionship in their lives and are no longer sure about ways to meet someone, so they go to social media dating sites and get taken in by the low animals that frequent these sites.....it's very sad to hear their stories and the losses involved. You can only assume that they are unaware of the scammers and treat these scammers as TRUE and TRUSTWORTHY and so unfortunately they do end up being robbed.....some more than others. Despite the fact that they may not have done enough due diligence about these sites...I still find myself feeling sorry for their losses.

if they are on this site then there is plenty of information here to deter any foolishness. if someone is this desperate then they have to take their chances.

 

[Suzy A99]

I constantly get friend requests on Facebook. Mostly they are from men in the armed forces in the USA. Then there are those pretending to be movie stars, or their agents. I completely ignore them all and block them. With all the information about on line scams, it's very sad that lonely people are still being taken advantage of. Don't give money to anyone online. It's just commonsense.

 

[Jest]

I constantly get friend requests on Facebook. Mostly they are from men in the armed forces in the USA. Then there are those pretending to be movie stars, or their agents. I completely ignore them all and block them. With all the information about on line scams, it's very sad that lonely people are still being taken advantage of. Don't give money to anyone online. It's just commonsense.

as i am not open to this kind of facebook i do not get harrassed. and i am wiser than your average bear.

 

[Veggiepatch]

He could be most likely lying about the bikie gang to stop you taking action. I'm sorry to hear this happened to you but you have to use your head and be careful about anyone you meet, especially when money/property is involved.

In my bad old days, bragging about any affiliation with "bikie gangs" was frowned upon and resulted in severe repercussions.

Maybe the infiltration of Middle Eastern and Eastern European factions have changed things.

 

[magpie1]

if they are on this site then there is plenty of information here to deter any foolishness. if someone is this desperate then they have to take their chances.

There are a lot more Australians out there that are not on this site......so lets not confine it to here. As for people being so desperate, unless you know them and their personal life then shut up.

 

[deni67]

The police should be able to trace those who sold the jewelry and the car. The police should be able to track these people down and prosecute them. The courts can force those responsible for a crime to pay compensation to their victims. Holding their assets or selling them to recover any financial loss.

As she said, he threatened her that if she went to the police there would be consequences.

 

[deni67]

Every single person that says they are in the military is a scammer, all of them.
And the doctors, they are all fake, although there is a real person behind their photos, all you have to do to find them is do a reverse image search on Google and it will bring up the real persons photo which will be the same as the scammers.
I am forever either reporting them to Facebook and/or i'm messaging the real person and letting them know their photos have been stolen and where to find them..

 

[Phantom55]

He could be most likely lying about the bikie gang to stop you taking action. I'm sorry to hear this happened to you but you have to use your head and be careful about anyone you meet, especially when money/property is involved.

report him ...he lying

 

[Phantom55]

check outdating sites and note where they are registered usually Spain or Greece where the law cant touch them they are all fake

 

[Hollingworthlake]

No I’ve not been affected but I realise how easily lonely vulnerable older women can be lured with lies because they are desperate.

 

[deni67]

check outdating sites and note where they are registered usually Spain or Greece where the law cant touch them they are all fake

Places like eharmony, Plenty of Fish, Tinder, EliteSingles and a few others arn't fake.
When someone joins they can lie their arse off about their personality, if someone is a narcissist they arn't going to put that in, they are going to say they are whiter than white so it's lucky dip to who you're matched up with.

I didn't go through a dating site per se, I met my partner in a chat room, which was basically a "Hook up room", when he lived in FNQ and I lived in Perth, we've been living in unwedded bliss for the last 23 years.
If I look back at the time I really knew nothing about him except he said all the right things to me, things like he loved me and would look after me for the rest of my life etc, I lucked out, as of right now iv'e got some serious health problems including bowel cancer and he does everything, I mean EVERYTHING, like he cooks for me, does the cleaning and right now we're in the middle of moving house and I can't do a thing to help, he's doing it all.
I couldn't find a more perfect man if I tried and that was basically through a "dating site" so please don't tar them all with the same feather.
A few of my other friends met their life time partners on there too.

 

[BellaB18]

Places like eharmony, Plenty of Fish, Tinder, EliteSingles and a few others arn't fake.
When someone joins they can lie their arse off about their personality, if someone is a narcissist they arn't going to put that in, they are going to say they are whiter than white so it's lucky dip to who you're matched up with.

I didn't go through a dating site per se, I met my partner in a chat room, which was basically a "Hook up room", when he lived in FNQ and I lived in Perth, we've been living in unwedded bliss for the last 23 years.
If I look back at the time I really knew nothing about him except he said all the right things to me, things like he loved me and would look after me for the rest of my life etc, I lucked out, as of right now iv'e got some serious health problems including bowel cancer and he does everything, I mean EVERYTHING, like he cooks for me, does the cleaning and right now we're in the middle of moving house and I can't do a thing to help, he's doing it all.
I couldn't find a more perfect man if I tried and that was basically through a "dating site" so please don't tar them all with the same feather.
A few of my other friends met their life time partners on there too.

That is so lovely you met a beautiful caring man.
I wish you all the best with your health. With the love and help of such a wonderful partner l am sure you will come through this tuff time. Good luck
Love and best wishes Vicki

 

[Kevin. A.]

I avoid social media, dating sites etc. like the plague! Nothing like meeting a man the old fashioned way - there in front of you! One can tell a lot by just looking at them!

I have found that these people are targeting anyone they can conscript on social media and not just on dating sites. I check the persons profile page and recent posts. Most scammer try to make their profile look legitimate as though they have been online for a long time and a safe bet. However, if you look at the dates of each post, I usually find the scammers have several posts all on with the same repeated date. I will find the same two or three dates as I go down the list of posts. Auto "RED FLAG" and any posts regarding crypto currency. I avoid like the plague. I often post my artwork and hobbies on online sites, so I enjoy interacting with people who have similar interests. However, I am vigilant as to who I accept friend requests from, if they ever request money, talk about investments, quick rich schemes, then I defriend them straight away and end the conversation. One friend request I received was from someone I thought I knew. However, it turned out to be an imposter posing as my friend. I messaged my friend through a known contact, and they confirmed it was a scammer trying to coax me into applying form some grant. The catch of course is while the grant is legitimate there is a fee to pay when putting in the application and a very select criteria, which most people do not fit. I have learnt that one really quick. I kept on saying "no" to this individual and the person kept on insisting that I apply. All of the usual stories of "we have been friends a long time", "did you ever think I would tell you something if were not true", pulling at the heart strings. They really had me going for a while. When I contact my friend, they confirmed my suspicions that this was a scammer.

 

[BellaB18]

I have found that these people are targeting anyone they can conscript on social media and not just on dating sites. I check the persons profile page and recent posts. Most scammer try to make their profile look legitimate as though they have been online for a long time and a safe bet. However, if you look at the dates of each post, I usually find the scammers have several posts all on with the same date. I will find repeated two or three dates as I go down their list of posts. Auto "RED FLAG" and any posts regarding crypto currency. I avoid like the plague. I often post my artwork and hobbies on online sites, so I enjoy interacting with people who have similar interests. However, I am vigilant as to who I accept friend requests from, if they ever request money, talk about investments, quick rich schemes, then I defriend them straight away and end the conversation.

Very wise.
Kind regards Vicki

 

[deni67]

I avoid social media, dating sites etc. like the plague! Nothing like meeting a man the old fashioned way - there in front of you! One can tell a lot by just looking at them!

Even meeting the old fashioned way is taking a chance.
I met my ex husband at a local pub years ago, he was lovely until he wasn't!

 

[Kevin. A.]

Places like eharmony, Plenty of Fish, Tinder, EliteSingles and a few others arn't fake.
When someone joins they can lie their arse off about their personality, if someone is a narcissist they arn't going to put that in, they are going to say they are whiter than white so it's lucky dip to who you're matched up with.

I didn't go through a dating site per se, I met my partner in a chat room, which was basically a "Hook up room", when he lived in FNQ and I lived in Perth, we've been living in unwedded bliss for the last 23 years.
If I look back at the time I really knew nothing about him except he said all the right things to me, things like he loved me and would look after me for the rest of my life etc, I lucked out, as of right now iv'e got some serious health problems including bowel cancer and he does everything, I mean EVERYTHING, like he cooks for me, does the cleaning and right now we're in the middle of moving house and I can't do a thing to help, he's doing it all.
I couldn't find a more perfect man if I tried and that was basically through a "dating site" so please don't tar them all with the same feather.
A few of my other friends met their life time partners on there too.

You were one of the lucky ones. So many scammers take advantage of vulnerable people, and everyone must be vigilant when online. Not saying that these relationships do not work or that every online contact is a scammer. But we have to be aware of predators who will take advantage of others. I am glad your partner is there supporting you, and he obviously loves you very much. It is nice to hear of a successful relationship with these dating apps. My father had bowl cancer many years ago (73?). He had surgery which gave him many years where he was cancer free. They have come a long way with surgical techniques since then and full recover always improves the earlier these things are caught and nipped in the bud. I hope you fully recover soon cheers.