Australians warned of online romance scammers in the lead up to Valentine’s Day

AUSTRALIANS looking for love online are being targeted by scammers, particularly in the lead up to Valentine’s Day. Here’s how to avoid becoming a victim of ‘romance’ fraud.

EXCLUSIVE

SEARCHING for true love is leaving many hopeless romantics not only broken hearted but financially distraught.

The desperate and dateless are being warned to be careful of online scammers ahead of Valentine’s Day and to ignore odd facebook requests or interactions on dating websites that seem suspicious.

LOVERS: Australian left broke and broken-hearted by romance scammers

One of the nation’s biggest banks, ANZ, set up a dedicated scams unit in mid 2017 and they’ve already been inundated with hundreds of inquiries.

This includes more than 700 investigations of which 119 were romance scam investigations costing unsuspecting victims a whopping $3.7 million.

ANZ’s managing director of retail distribution Catriona Noble said scam victims are often left unable to recover any money sent to who they believed was their true lover.

ANZ’s Managing Director Retail Distribution Catriona Noble warns people to be wary of romance scammers ahead of Valentine’s Day. Picture: News Corp Australia

“What might be an innocent friend request on Facebook or an interaction on a dating site ... if you are making connections with people online that is different to be introduced to someone by a common friend or colleague,’’ she said.

“The romance scams really prey on people’s vulnerabilities and scammers are having a lot of success there.”

Australians aged 55 and over are more likely to be scammed and ANZ data found some scams have been for amounts of more than $600,000.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission figures show in 2017 there were more than 3740 romance and dating scams reported and about $20.3 million lost.

Retiree Kevin Harrison, 65, was a victim of an online romance scam and lost $170,000 after connecting with a woman named “Rose” from Ghana on online dating site OkCupid.

He never met the woman in person and despite their online relationship ending three years ago she continues to contact him.

Online dating victim Kevin Harrison lost more than $170,000 though an online dating website after he was scammed. Picture: Nicole Cleary

His one message is: “Under no circumstances do you send them money,’’ Mr Harrison said.

The pensioner racked up more than $30,000 on credit card debt during the relationship and at times sent her up to $14,000 in one hit.

ANZ data shows it’s often men who are more likely to be the target of romance scams but women who lose more money ($2.24 million under investigation).

ACCC’s deputy chair Delia Rickard warned people not to let love bite and send money to someone you’ve never met.

ACCC's deputy chair Delia Rickard warns Australians to not share personal information online or send money to people you’ve never met. Picture: Supplied

“People are particularly vulnerable on Valentine’s Day ... if they can’t meet you for any reason be highly suspicious and move on,’’ she said.

“No matter what their excuse is never ever send money to someone online or via social media.”

[e-mail]

@sophieelsworth

ROMANCE SCAM TIPS

1. Never share your personal details or bank information to anyone.

2. Do an image search of your admirer to work out if they are real using Google or TinEye.

3. Be aware of spelling and grammar mistakes and inconsistencies in stories.

4. Be cautious of sharing personal pictures or videos online.

5. Be wary of requests for money.

6. If you think you’ve been scammed visit www.scamwatch.gov.au or contact your bank.