Particle.news

Download on the App Store

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.
Image

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.