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3mo ago

Australians Warned of Sophisticated Valentine's Day Romance Scams

Experts caution against online fraud targeting emotions and finances during the season of love.

Photo collage of two smartphones. A man's hand holding a bouquet of roses comes out of one screen; out of the other, a woman's hand holding a credit card.
Image posted by the account The Oscar Race on X shows a collection of AI imagery, used to scam a 53-year-old woman into thinking that she was dating Brad Pitt. According to reports, she was scammed into giving $850k to a person pretending to be Brad Pitt.
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Overview

  • Romance scams exploit emotional vulnerability, with scammers posing as potential romantic partners to gain trust and financial advantage.
  • Common tactics include professing love quickly, avoiding in-person meetings, and requesting financial assistance under false pretenses.
  • Sophisticated scams now involve AI-generated profiles, fake investment schemes, and sextortion, impacting both singles and couples.
  • In 2024, Australians reported losing over $23 million to romance scams, with experts suggesting the real figure may be much higher.
  • Authorities advise vigilance, including verifying identities, avoiding financial transfers, and reporting suspicious activity to Scamwatch or cybercrime portals.