• Dozens of victims lost millions of dollars in a single year
• Advanced deepfake technology is making deception harder to detect and targeting vulnerable groups

Authorities in Western Australia issued a Valentine’s Day warning over the growing rise of online romance scams, revealing a series of “red flags” that may signal a new relationship is not what it appears to be.

Official data shows 63 state residents fell victim to such crimes last year, with total financial losses estimated at about $3.8 million.

Attorney General Tony Buti said that although the figure is lower than in previous years, it remains unacceptable, urging people not to send money before meeting someone in person, as the individual they are communicating with may not even exist.

He explained that these scams often begin on dating websites and apps, where fraudsters create fake profiles using stolen photos, names, and life stories. They then employ “love bombing,” sending constant messages to build trust and form an emotional bond before eventually asking for money.

Scammers frequently provide excuses to avoid meeting face-to-face, such as claiming to work on offshore oil rigs or serve in the military, and may insist on keeping the relationship secret while isolating victims from friends and family.

Buti also warned of the growing threat posed by artificial intelligence and deepfake technology, which could allow criminals to impersonate real people.

In this context, Consumer Protection Commissioner Trish Blake revealed a case in which a woman was nearly deceived by a fake video call that appeared genuine—until a technical glitch exposed a completely different man behind the screen.

Australia’s National Anti-Scam Centre noted that romance scams disproportionately affect people over 35, individuals with disabilities, as well as those who are divorced or widowed.

Although men are more likely to report these crimes, women suffer higher financial losses. Nationally, women lost more than $20 million between January 2024 and May 2025, compared with about $13 million for men, with a significantly higher average loss per case.

People aged 65 and older recorded the highest total losses.

Buti added that the real figures are likely higher due to underreporting driven by embarrassment.

Authorities advised using reverse image searches to verify profiles, taking time before trusting someone new, and relying on personal instincts to avoid falling victim to romance fraud.