Romance scams
Romance scammers often reach out through social media, gaming, or dating apps, trying to build a connection by pretending to share your interests. They may then coerce you into financial transactions, such as opening bank accounts, unknowingly getting involved in money laundering or investing in risky schemes like cryptocurrency.
Their tactics typically include:
- Rushing the relationship to make you feel special quickly and lower your guard.
- Moving the conversation off the dating app to a chat app to maintain secrecy. For example, to WhatsApp.
- Avoiding in person meetings and discouraging you from telling friends or family.
- Requesting personal information, coercing you to comply and threats if you resist.
If you suspect a romance scam:
- Never send money to someone you haven't met.
- Avoid sharing sensitive documents online.
- Avoid transferring funds for others to prevent involvement in illegal activities.
- Verify the person's identity and take things slow.
- Search for their name with "scam" to check for warnings.
- Be careful when sharing personal details and intimate content.
- Don't keep the relationship a secret; talk to trusted friends or family.
- Learn more about staying safe online and on social media platforms.
Visit https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/online-dating-and-romance-scams for additional resources.