• Advertise
  • About us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact us
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Australian Times News
  • News
    • Weather
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Business & Finance
      • Currency Zone
    • Lotto Results
      • The Lott
  • Lifestyle
    • Entertainment
    • Horoscopes
    • Health & Wellness
    • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Expat Life
  • Move to Australia
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Weather
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Business & Finance
      • Currency Zone
    • Lotto Results
      • The Lott
  • Lifestyle
    • Entertainment
    • Horoscopes
    • Health & Wellness
    • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Expat Life
  • Move to Australia
No Result
View All Result
Australian Times News
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Love you long time – but only short time when it’s online

Online dating can be a minefield for those feeling lovesick. Last year Australians lost $38-million to mainly online romance scammers.

Mike Simpson by Mike Simpson
26-02-2021 01:30
in News
Image by S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay

Image by S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay

While there are many success stories of people falling in love after meeting online, there are also some very sad tales involving victims of romance scams, consumer authorities are warning.

Australians reported losing more than $38-million to romance scammers in 2020, the majority of which was lost through social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat.

An average loss of $30,000 per victim

In Western Australia alone, last year 72 lovelorn victims reported losing $2.17-million – an average loss of $30,000 each.

These figures have prompted consumer protection agencies across the country to remind people to be cautious and that victims aren’t just those who are actively seeking a partner – it could be you, a friend or family member.

Romance scammers will often spend months building up trust before asking for money from their victim, who may agree to send funds because they feel the need is genuine, or believe it will be used to buy an airfare so their love-interest can travel to meet them. 

Scammers will likely use false images

But while the victim is feeling loved-up, the scammer becomes cashed-up.

Often these people will use stock images, or images they’ve taken from someone else’s social media, so before engaging online it’s important to do a reverse-image search via Google or TinEye.

AlsoRead...

The Broker who says ‘Yes’ when Banks say NO

The Broker who says ‘Yes’ when Banks say NO

8 July 2025
Leading with Trust: Why Quality still wins in the AI Era

Leading with Trust: Why Quality still wins in the AI Era

5 June 2025

“Always be wary if the person you’ve met online quickly wants to move communications away from the dating website or app and onto another platform such as email, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp or Viber,” advises WA’s Commissioner for Consumer Protection, Lanie Chopping.

Be suspicious if they won’t meet you

“If they ask for money, but won’t meet in person, that’s a big red flag. Never give money to someone you haven’t met in person.”

Chopping says it’s important be careful about the personal information you share, as many romance scam victims lose more than money.  They can also experience fraud – such as discovering new mobile phone accounts set up in their name, or that their superannuation account has been accessed.

People who believe they are the victim of such a scam can report it to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) by visiting www.scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam

Tags: Australian Competition and Consumer CommissionConsumer ProtectionConsumerismloveonline datingscams
DMCA.com Protection Status

SUBSCRIBE to our NEWSLETTER

[mc4wp_form id=”2384248″]

Don't Miss

The Dating Wealth Gap Is Getting Wider: What You Should Know

by Fazila Olla-Logday
11 July 2025
Source: Pixabay
Lifestyle

The divide between wealth and romance is growing. As income inequality widens, financial status is playing a bigger role in...

Read more

The Broker who says ‘Yes’ when Banks say NO

by Pauline Torongo
8 July 2025
The Broker who says ‘Yes’ when Banks say NO
Business & Finance

When faced with constant loan rejection or last-minute withdrawals of support, Trelos Finance stands out as a solution.

Read more

Common Mistakes When Buying a Telescope — And How to Avoid Them

by Fazila Olla-Logday
1 July 2025
Common Mistakes When Buying a Telescope
Technology

You’ve spent hours scrolling through telescope specs online, dazzled by features and grand promises. The excitement builds—until your newly arrived...

Read more

From Portugal to Bali: Where Aussies Should Go for Your Next Coastal Holiday

by Fazila Olla-Logday
20 June 2025
Source: Flickr
Travel

Aussies, here is a guide to where you should go for your next coastal holiday.

Read more

Leading with Trust: Why Quality still wins in the AI Era

by Pauline Torongo
5 June 2025
Leading with Trust: Why Quality still wins in the AI Era
Business & Finance

If you're leading a software team today, you've likely noticed the shift: faster feature rollouts, routine automation, and AI taking...

Read more

How to Save on Airport Parking: Budget Tips Every Traveller Should Know

by Fazila Olla-Logday
3 June 2025
How to Save on Airport Parking
Travel

Saving money on airport parking can be a challenge,but here are some budget friendly tips to help you navigate.

Read more

Why Australian Investors are Betting on the Aviation Maverick Louis Belanger-Martin

by Pauline Torongo
28 May 2025
Why Australian Investors are Betting on the Aviation Maverick Louis Belanger-Martin
Business & Finance

Bélanger-Martin’s ambitions stretch beyond redefining inflight comfort—they’re rooted in resurrecting the romance of supersonic travel with a modern twist.

Read more
Load More

Copyright © Blue Sky Publications Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
australiantimes.co.uk is a division of Blue Sky Publications Ltd. Reproduction without permission prohibited. DMCA.com Protection Status

  • About us
  • Write for Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • T&Cs, Privacy and GDPR
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Weather
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Business & Finance
      • Currency Zone
    • Lotto Results
      • The Lott
  • Lifestyle
    • Entertainment
    • Horoscopes
    • Health & Wellness
    • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Expat Life
  • Move to Australia

Copyright © Blue Sky Publications Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
australiantimes.co.uk is a division of Blue Sky Publications Ltd. Reproduction without permission prohibited. DMCA.com Protection Status