Police issue arning after woman loses $200k to common onlein scam

Members of the lonely hearts club have been warned to be vigilant of romance scams, which could end up costing Australian residents much more than a broken heart.

Cairns Police have issued a reminder to Australian residents to stay vigilant and aware of romance scams online, which can cost victims a significant amount of money.

It usually begins with a scammer, who is posing under a fake profile, sending an unsolicited request or message through a social media app.

“These profiles are fake profiles, however, can appear genuine,’ a statement from Cairns Police read. The profile often encourages its victims to move to another messaging or social media platform, and “over time, the scammer builds a story, such as being deployed overseas and unable to access their own funds”.

This warning comes as a 60-year-old Cairns woman lost $200,000 to a romance scammer, who intentionally spent time befriending her and gaining her trust, only to rob her of her funds.

Detective Acting Inspector Cindy Searle said the scammer used manipulation tactics to earn the trust of their victims before requesting money.

“If someone has been a victim of a Romance Scam, it’s important to understand you are not at fault,” Inspector Searle said.

“The people behind these scams are well practised in gaining your trust so you will act on their requests.”

Australians are warned to stay aware of the tactics the scammers may use to get a hold of the victim’s money.

“They may ask you to send cash in packages, make an online transfer either in cryptocurrency or funds, or even open accounts they can access,” Inspector Searle said.

“Before making any transactions think about what you really know about the person. If you have not met them in person, you can’t be sure they are who they say they are.”

Those who believe they may be a victim of a romance scam are encouraged to find more information on ScamWatch, ID care and the Queensland Police Service website.

Those who may be victim of a romance scam may become withdrawn or showing signs of depression and stress. “If your loved one is being scammed, be patient and understand that they may feel embarrassed,’ the statement from police read. “Victims of scams often feel embarrassed, or afraid to talk to their family.”

If someone you know is the victim of a romance scam, Cairns Police recommends immediately contacting the victim’s bank or credit card provider to stop all transactions. It is also recommended to block the scammer’s email address and contact information, as well as removing them from social media platforms. Other helpful tips include changing the loved one’s email address, phone number and updating their password.