WA Authorities Issue Romance Scam Warning

Western Australian authorities issued a warning regarding online romance scams on Valentine's Day, outlining indicators that a new relationship might be deceptive.

Last year, 63 West Australians collectively lost approximately $3.8 million to these scams.

Attorney General Tony Buti stated that despite the figure being lower than in recent years, it remains unacceptable.

He advised individuals against sending money to anyone before an in-person meeting, noting the possibility that the online contact may not exist.

Common Scam Tactics

Mr. Buti explained that romance scams frequently start on dating websites and apps where scammers create accounts with false information. Tactics often include "love bombing" – a continuous stream of messages designed to establish a strong connection – followed by requests for money.

Identified Red Flags

Authorities highlighted several warning signs:

Scammers frequently provide excuses for not meeting in person, such as employment on an oil rig or military service.
They may encourage individuals to keep the new relationship secret from friends and family, often suggesting a move to encrypted messaging platforms.
Any request for money from an online contact is a significant red flag.

Threat of AI Deepfakes

Mr. Buti also cautioned about the emerging threat of artificial intelligence, specifically deepfake technology, which could enable scammers to replicate real people during video calls. WA's Consumer Protection Commissioner Trish Blake described an incident where a woman was nearly deceived by an AI deepfake during a video call, only for a glitch to reveal a different person in a hidden location.

National Statistics on Romance Scams

The National Anti-Scam Centre reported that online romance scams disproportionately affect individuals over 35, people with disabilities or diverse backgrounds, and those who are divorced, widowed, or actively seeking relationships.

Men are more likely to report romance scams, but women report higher financial losses.
Nationally, between January 2024 and May 2025, women lost $20.1 million (an average of $36,091 per scam), compared to men's losses of $13.3 million (an average of $17,089).
Individuals aged 65 and over experienced the highest total losses, amounting to $11.7 million.

Under-reporting and Prevention

Mr. Buti noted that official figures are likely affected by under-reporting, attributing this to a "shame factor" that discourages victims from disclosing their experiences or the true extent of their financial losses. Additional tips for avoiding romance scams include:

Utilizing reverse image searches (e.g., Google or TinEye) to verify profile photos.
Taking time to genuinely get to know someone.
Trusting personal instincts regarding suspicious behavior.