Online dating scam costs Adelaide woman $500k

A SOUTH Australian woman lost almost $500,000 to scammers in an elaborate online dating scheme and police warn these incidents are happening on a daily basis.

A SOUTH Australian woman lost almost $500,000 to scammers in an elaborate online dating scheme and police warn these incidents are happening on a daily basis.

The victim, a 48-year-old southern suburbs woman, became the victim of dating scammers in late 2011.

"She met a man online and they began communicating through Skype. Over the next twelve months, she sent him approximately $80,000," Detective Inspector Greg Hutchins, Officer in Charge of SAPOL's Financial Investigations Section said.

"In late 2012, the victim was contacted by a person claiming to be a lawyer. The lawyer advised her that she had been a victim of a dating scam and that he could assist her in the recovery her money.

Over a number of weeks the victim provided in excess of $400,000 to the "lawyer" in an attempt to recover her initial money. In this instance, police believe the offenders are based overseas, possibly in Nigeria."

Police said it was not unusual for scammers to pass on contact details of victims or for victims to be re-contacted by another scammer, claiming they can recover any losses.

At that point, scammers will ask for more money to pay fees, charges or taxes. Often, the distressed victim will pay as requested in a bid to recover their money, only to be scammed again.

Police said an important aspect for personal security online was to be cautious and well informed, so scammers found it harder to deceive people and trick them into parting with money.

"Our advice is that if you've already sent money, and then receive a request for more money to help recover money, people should consider that as a further, fraudulent attempt to obtain more money, so definitely do not send anything further," Detective Inspector Hutchins said.

Police urge people to treat all unsolicited offers with caution, and if anyone believes they have fallen victim to a scam, they should cease all contact with the scammers immediately and, definitely, do not send not any more money.