Romance Scam Alert

Romance scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, building convincing online relationships to gain trust before requesting money, personal information or access to your accounts. These scams often unfold slowly, sometimes over months, and can be difficult to spot while you’re in the middle of them.

Common red flags include:

• a relationship that moves quickly or feels unusually intense early on
• constant excuses for why they can’t meet or video call
• sudden emergencies that require money, gift cards or financial help
• requests for secrecy or pressure to act quickly
• claims of working overseas, in the military, or in remote locations

Australians lost more than $28 million to romance scams last year, and scammers continue to use emotional manipulation to create trust and urgency.

If anything feels unusual or you’re unsure about advice you’ve been given:

• pause before sending money or personal details
• talk to someone you trust
• contact your bank through a verified number
• report suspicious behaviour to Scamwatch

Learn more about romance scams