Let’s aim for more happily-ever-afters, fewer scams, in 2026
Ahead of Valentine’s Day, consumer protection agencies across the country are warning that romance scams are back with a vengeance.
Losses dropped to $23.6 million in 2024, but in 2025, Australians lost more than that by September. Average losses also rose from $8K to more than $8.5K per person.
If you or someone you care about is dating online, now's the time to get scam-smart.
Scammers can be nice. And very patient
Someone who seems perfect when you match around Valentine's Day might not ask for money until winter. By then, you've been talking for months. You've shared hopes, dreams, maybe even plans for the future. They know how to treat you nicely.
Who's being targeted
You don’t have to be on dating apps for romance scammers to find you. They'll target anyone, anywhere.
Men made the most reports of romance scams in 2025 (55.5% vs 37.42% for women), but women reported bigger losses, accounting for 61.56% of the national total (vs 38.23% for men).
People aged 65 and over had the highest total losses at $8.1 million.
But younger people aren't immune. The message is clear, if you're looking for connection, scammers will target you.
Know how they operate
Scammers use two main approaches:
- Romance baiting: they groom you into fake investment opportunities, often involving cryptocurrency.
- Traditional romance scams: they build emotional connections over months or even years before asking for money or pressuring you into dodgy money transfers.
Watch for these tactics:
Love bombing – Intense early feelings, constant messages and calls that feel overwhelming
Platform switching – Moving from dating apps to WhatsApp, Telegram, WeChat or Line to avoid being traced
Elaborate stories – Claims of working overseas, on oil rigs, or in military deployment
Money requests – Investment opportunities, family emergencies, or expenses they promise will benefit you both
Isolation – Encouraging secrecy and discouraging you from talking to friends and family
AI deception – Fake video calls are becoming more common as technology advances
A smart dating checklist
- Be suspicious if someone won't meet in person or can't video chat at short notice. Real people want to meet you. Scammers usually can't.
- Never send money, personal details, bank documents or ID to someone you haven't met face-to-face. No exceptions.
- Don't transfer money for someone else. You could become involved in illegal money laundering without realising.
- Talk to friends or family about new relationships. If someone pushes you to keep things secret, that's a major red flag.
- Use reverse image searches. Tools like Google Images or TinEye can sometimes reveal stolen profile photos.
- Take your time and watch for inconsistencies. Do their stories add up? Do details change?
- Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is.
If you've been scammed
Act fast. Contact your bank immediately to stop transactions and ask about recovery options. Watch out for 'recovery scams' where fraudsters pose as helpers offering to get your money back.
Report it. Tell ScamWatch and the platform where it happened.
Protect your identity. If you've shared personal information, visit IDCARE or call 1800 595 160.
Get support. Romance scams cause deep emotional harm as well as financial loss. Lifeline (13 11 14) and Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) are there to help.
Share the (genuine) love
The best defence against romance scams is awareness. If you know someone who's actively dating online – a friend, family member, colleague, or neighbour – please share this information with them.
When we all know the red flags, we can date with confidence.
Learn more about romance scams.