Romance scams continue to affect thousands of Australians each year, with victims losing around $28.7 million in 2025. And that figure only reflects what has been reported.

These scams often begin innocently on dating apps, social media platforms, or even gaming sites. Scammers create convincing profiles designed to attract attention and build trust, often appearing genuine, caring and emotionally available.

Once trust is established, they move quickly to create an intense emotional connection. This tactic, commonly known as love bombing, involves constant compliments, attention and declarations of affection. The aim is to form a strong emotional bond that makes manipulation easier. When the connection feels secure, the conversation often shifts to requests for money, personal information, or private images.

Red flags to watch for

Romance scammers tend to move fast, pushing the relationship forward and expressing deep feelings very early on. They usually avoid meeting in person or joining video calls, always offering convincing reasons for why they are unavailable.

Common excuses include working overseas, travelling for extended periods, or dealing with ongoing emergencies. Many scammers ask for money to cover medical costs, travel expenses, investment opportunities or sudden financial problems. Others attempt to obtain personal details or intimate images, which can later be used for identity theft or extortion.

How to protect yourself

There are a few practical steps you can take to reduce your risk:

• Do a reverse image search of profile photos to check if images have been stolen or reused elsewhere
• Never send money, cryptocurrency, gift cards or personal information to someone you have not met in person
• If a conversation turns toward financial help, stop all contact immediately
• Be cautious about sharing private or intimate details online, even with someone who seems genuine

If something feels off, or the relationship seems too perfect too quickly, trust your instincts.

Learning from real experiences

Romance scams can happen to anyone. The FBI have produced short videos where victims have shared their heart-wrenching stories to help warn others, which can be watched here and here. 

If you prefer podcasts, you may may find this episode from SBS useful.

For more information, resources and current scam alerts, visit Scamwatch.

Staying informed is one of the most powerful ways to protect yourself and others.