- Romance scammers steal $3.8 million from 63
Western Australians in 2025
- Victim numbers increasing amid artificial
intelligence-enhanced scam tactics
- Reminder for consumers to know their rights when
ordering Valentine's gifts online
On Valentine's Day, the
Cook Government is urging Western Australians to stay alert to con artists, with
new figures showing a rise in romance scam cases.
Scammers, using emotional manipulation, conned Western Australians out of
more than $3.8 million in 2025.
Statistics compiled by ScamNet, part of the Department of Local
Government, Industry Regulation and Safety's (LGIRS) Consumer Protection
division, show 63 Western Australians reported romance scam losses to WA in
2025, up from 55 in 2024. Total losses of $4.98 million were reported in 2024.
National Scamwatch data shows men made more romance scam reports in 2025
(55.5 per cent compared with 37.4 per cent for women), but women suffered
greater financial harm, accounting for 61.6 per cent of total losses.
Australians aged 65 and over recorded the highest losses of any age group.
Romance scammers typically use two approaches: 'romance baiting', where
victims are groomed into fake investment schemes often involving
cryptocurrency, and traditional romance scams, where offenders build emotional
connections over months or even years before requesting money or pressuring victims
into making risky transfers.
Common tactics include intense early affection, shifting conversations
off dating apps, elaborate overseas cover stories, financial requests, and
efforts to isolate victims from friends and family.
Emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are also making
romance scams harder to detect, with deepfake videos now enabling scammers to
produce convincing, lifelike footage that impersonates fictional love interests
or misuses the images of real people in video calls.
Tips to protect
yourself from romance and dating scams:
- be cautious if someone refuses to meet
in person - remember fake video calls are becoming more common due to AI
technology;
- never send money, personal details, bank
documents, or identity documents to someone you have not met face-to-face;
- do not transfer money on behalf of
someone else - you could unknowingly commit illegal money laundering;
- talk to friends or family about the
relationship - secrecy is a major red flag;
- use reverse image searches such as
Google or TinEye to verify profile photos;
- take time to get to know someone and
watch for inconsistencies in their stories; and
- trust your instincts - if something
feels off, it probably is.
Anyone impacted by a romance scam should contact their bank or financial
institution immediately to stop transactions and discuss recovery options, and
be alert to 'recovery scams', where scammers pose as trusted third parties
offering to retrieve lost funds.
Aside from scams, consumers are reminded that Australian Consumer Law
guarantees apply to Valentine's Day purchases. If flowers or gifts arrive late
or differ significantly from what was advertised, they may be entitled to a
refund or replacement. Consumers should contact the retailer first, noting that
a credit note does not have to be accepted.
Consumer guarantees also apply to products purchased from overseas
traders, although these can be more difficult to enforce, so this should be
considered when shopping online. If a consumer is unable to resolve an issue
with a retailer, a complaint can be lodged through the LGIRS Consumer Protection website.
Scam reports can be lodged via the
WA ScamNet website
and enquiries can be made by email: consumer@lgirs.wa.gov.au or
phone: 1300 30 40 54. Consumers concerned about compromised personal
information are encouraged to contact IDCARE.
Comments attributed to Commerce Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"Romance scammers are patient operators, who can spend months building
trust before asking for money, meaning a relationship that begins around
Valentine's Day may not reveal any warning signs until winter or later.
"Smart daters recognise red flags early - love bombing, reluctance to
meet in person, a push to move conversations to WhatsApp, or elaborate stories
about being overseas. These are tactics.
"When it comes to online dating, trust your instincts as well as your
heart, and speak to people you trust, because scammers rely on secrecy to stop
others from spotting the truth.
"Finding love shouldn't
cost you thousands of dollars, and if someone you've never met asks for money
for any reason, the answer should always be no.
"Valentine's Day should be
a positive experience, and you deserve to receive exactly what you paid for. If
flowers or a gift arrives late, or are not as advertised, the law is on your side,
and you're entitled to a proper remedy."
