NSW Valentine’s Day warning after local lovers lose $8.9m to scammers

Aussies looking for love are being warned to stay vigilant this Valentine’s Day after one state lost $8.9m to “romance scams”.

Aussies are being warned to guard their hearts and wallets against charming con artists this Valentine’s Day after NSW residents lost $8.9m to scammers last year.

NSW Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib has reminded singles looking for love to remain vigilant this February 14.

“Fraudsters aren’t afraid to give you heartache this Valentine’s Day and will use sophisticated scams to try and steal from people across NSW,” he said.

Recent data suggests all age groups are at risk of falling victim to online dating scams. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

“People can protect themselves from being rorted by Romeo or jilted by Juliet by not sending money to anyone they have not met in person.

Scammers stole more than $8.9m from the pockets of hopeless NSW romantics in 2024, according to ScamWatch.

All age groups were represented in the 798 reports of romance and dating scams, including under 18s, suggesting older Australians aren’t the only group being targeted.

“It’s important victims of romance scams speak up and get the help they need,” Mr Dib continued.

“Remember, there is no shame in falling victim to a con artist.”

Western Australians were similarly conned out of nearly $5m in 2024 due to romance and dating scams, according to WA ScamNet.

Commissioner for consumer protection Trish Blake expressed concern over the significantly higher total losses than the previous year.

“An average loss of over $87,000 and in one case nearly $800,000 – that’s the devastating reality of romance scams in 2024,” she said.

“These staggering figures represent a lifetime of savings for many and can be financially crippling.”

Ms Blake said artificial intelligence was a significant challenge for consumers and authorities.

“Deepfake technology is allowing scammers to create highly realistic videos, impersonating fabricated love interests and exploiting the images of real people in the process,” she said.

“That’s why our advice remains that unless you can meet in person, you should proceed with extreme caution, as you can’t always trust what you see in video calls or hear over the phone.”

Experts have reminded online daters to trust their instincts to avoid falling for scams. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

ID Support NSW is inviting anyone interesting in learning more about scams, including warning signs and how to protect your identity, to sign up for its free online event.

Attendees will have the opportunity to seek expert advice on their digital dating dilemmas during the one hour session this February 14.

“Know the warning signs and take steps to protect yourself so you don’t fall victim to these convincing impostors,” ID Support NSW director Jacki Muir said.

Tips to avoid online dating scams this Valentine’s Day

• Minimising the amount of personal info on your dating profile and adjusting your privacy settings.

• Limiting the disclosure of full names, addresses, work, location, and information about any children.

• Keeping conversations on the app – online safety features on the app can only protect people while they’re using the app.

• Looking out for suspicious photos or profiles – dating apps now include verified photos that show a person is legitimate (an image search can also determine if a person is who they say they are).

• Setting up multi-factor authentication for accounts – this will minimise the risk of being hacked.

• If it doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts.