Alleged romance scam leaves victims defrauded of nearly half a million dollars: Three charged in ongoing investigation

A newspaper advert written by a widowed “country lady” looking for her soulmate caught the attention of three elderly men - but not everything was at it seemed.

Three elderly Australian men who believed they were the soulmates of a widowed “country lady” were allegedly caught up in an elaborate romance scam that cost them almost $500,000, according to police.

Detectives from the Cairns Criminal Investigation Branch have charged three individuals in connection with an alleged romance scam, and are now seeking public assistance to further their investigation.

The case revolves around a series of alleged frauds between June 2022 and February 2023, resulting in nearly half a million dollars being allegedly fraudulently pilfered from three unsuspecting victims.

Three older Australian men transferred almost $500,000 to a woman they believed was their soulmate. Picture: Queensland Police

According to authorities, two older Queensland men in their 70s found themselves caught up in what they believed to be a legitimate paid dating service after responding to a personal advertisement.

“Country lady at heart looking for her soulmate,” one classifieds ad read.

“New to the area, widow of 6 years, 50 years old, very happy-natured, fun-loving, honest, nurturing and caring, very affectionate and romantic.

“Looking for a man to share all these qualities with.”

Little did they know they were being pulled into a complex web of alleged deception, police say.

They made payments and were subsequently introduced to a woman who claimed to be a widow in her 50s.

The men responded to a personal advertisement seeking a soulmate. Picture: Queensland Police

As part of the alleged scam, the woman began demanding substantial payments under the guise of helping herself escape a fictional work contract.

One victim, from the Toowoomba region, incurred losses amounting to approximately $42,000, police allege.

The other victim, from the Cassowary Coast region in far North Queensland, faced more substantial financial harm, losing an alleged staggering $343,500.

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He grew suspicious only after contact was cut off and reported the matter to Cairns Police Station in March 2023.

Authorities launched an investigation culminating in a series of co-ordinated search warrants carried out on July 25.

Police bodycam footage of the raids shows some of the alleged fraudsters in modern, well-furnished homes.

The woman demanded payments under the guise of extricating herself from a fictional work contract. Picture: Queensland Police

Two homes in Benowa on the Gold Coast were targeted, leading to the arrest of two women. Additionally, a third search warrant was executed at a Mermaid Beach property.

While searching at one of the Benowa properties, investigators found $79,200 in cash hidden within pillows in a bedroom.

According to police, the operations unearthed material that ultimately led detectives to locate a third victim, a man in his 50s from Western Australia, who had been caught up in the same alleged scam and police claim he was defrauded of a further $111,000.

The total sum allegedly defrauded from these three victims reached $496,578.

A 52-year-old Benowa woman is now facing five counts of fraud in connection to the alleged scam, along with one count of receiving tainted property, possessing tainting property, and contravening an order about access to information stored electronically.

The men were defrauded of nearly half a million dollars between June 2022 and February 2023. Picture: Queensland Police

Meanwhile, a 29-year-old Benowa woman has been charged with five counts of fraud. Both individuals are expected to appear before Southport Magistrates Court on October 3.

A 52-year-old Mermaid Beach man voluntarily presented himself at the Broadbeach Police Station on August four, where he was taken into custody.

He has since been charged with four counts of fraud and is slated to appear before Southport Magistrates Court on September 18.

While the investigations into this alleged fraudulent dating service continue, detectives are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Police have charged three individuals in connection with the alleged romance scam and are seeking public assistance. Picture: Queensland Police

Detective Sergeant Matthew Hogan of the Far North High Risk Investigations Team highlighted the potential scale of the issue, stating, “there are potentially dozens of people across Australia impacted by this allegedly fraudulent dating service.”

He emphasised that anyone can fall victim to scams and urged victims to seek support and report their experiences to authorities.

The ACCC’s Scamwatch estimates that $23,897,460 has so far been lost to dating and romance scams. Picture: Queensland Police

“To defraud any person is horrible, but to specifically seek out mature people who may be vulnerable, it’s cruel, and QPS will investigate all matters until alleged offenders are before the court and support is provided to those victims,” he said.

“We urge anyone who has information which could assist in investigating fraudulent activity to come forward.”

The ACCC’s Scamwatch estimates $23,897,460 has so far been lost to dating and romance scams alone, with July proving to be a particularly bad month with $5.51m in losses reported.

The consumer watchdog says most reports and losses are derived from social networking, mobile applications or internet scams.

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