Western Australia authorities are warning residents to exercise caution as Valentine’s Day approaches, highlighting a surge in sophisticated online romance scams. While reported cases dipped slightly last year, with 63 West Australians losing approximately $3.8 million, the financial and emotional toll remains significant. The warning comes amid growing concerns about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to facilitate these fraudulent schemes.
Attorney General Tony Buti urged individuals to remain vigilant and avoid sending money to anyone they’ve only met online until a face-to-face meeting has occurred. “There is always a chance the person you are speaking to does not really exist,” he cautioned. The scams typically originate on dating websites and apps, where perpetrators create fictitious profiles with fabricated personal histories.
The Tactics of Deception
Scammers often employ a tactic known as “love bombing,” overwhelming potential victims with a constant stream of messages designed to quickly establish a connection and foster a sense of trust. This initial phase is followed by requests for financial assistance, often framed as urgent needs related to illness, injury, business expenses, or family crises. Authorities emphasize that these requests are a key indicator of fraudulent activity.
A common red flag, according to Mr. Buti, is the inability or unwillingness of the scammer to meet in person. Excuses frequently involve employment in remote locations, such as oil rigs or military deployments. Scammers often attempt to isolate their victims by discouraging them from sharing the relationship with friends and family. “What they’ll try and do is isolate you,” Mr. Buti explained. “They’ll try and get you on an encrypted message [platform], they’ll say don’t speak to your family — this is a very romantic, secretive relationship that we are forming.”
The Emerging Threat of AI Deepfakes
The sophistication of these scams is escalating with the advent of AI technology. Consumer Protection Commissioner Trish Blake highlighted a recent case in Western Australia where a woman nearly fell victim to a deepfake video call. The woman believed she was communicating with her online partner via FaceTime, only to discover a man hiding under a blanket in a cupboard when the AI technology glitched, revealing the deception.
This incident underscores the growing challenge of verifying the identity of individuals encountered online. The ability to create realistic, AI-generated videos poses a significant threat, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between genuine interactions and elaborate scams.
Disproportionate Impact and Underreporting
Data from the National Anti-Scam Centre reveals that individuals over the age of 35, those with disabilities or diverse backgrounds, and those who are divorced, widowed, or actively seeking relationships are particularly vulnerable to romance scams. While men are more likely to report falling victim to these schemes, women experience significantly higher financial losses. Nationally, between January 2024 and May 2025, women lost $20.1 million compared to $13.3 million for men. On average, women lost $36,091 per scam, compared to $17,089 for men.
Authorities acknowledge that these figures likely represent an underreporting of the true extent of the problem. A “shame factor” often prevents victims from coming forward, either due to embarrassment or a reluctance to admit they were deceived. This underreporting complicates efforts to accurately assess the scale of the issue and implement effective preventative measures.
Protecting Yourself Online
To mitigate the risk of falling victim to a romance scam, authorities recommend several precautionary steps. These include conducting reverse image searches on profile photos using tools like Google or TinEye to verify their authenticity. Taking the time to thoroughly get to know someone online before developing strong emotional attachments is also crucial. Perhaps most importantly, individuals are urged to trust their instincts and be wary of anyone who requests money or attempts to move the relationship to a private, encrypted messaging platform.
The warning from WA authorities serves as a timely reminder of the financial and emotional risks associated with online dating. As scammers become increasingly sophisticated, vigilance and a healthy dose of skepticism are essential for protecting oneself from these predatory schemes. As Ms. Blake succinctly put it, “Often their line is ‘if you love me, give me money.’ My response to that is ‘if you love me, you wouldn’t ask.’”
Recent data from Consumer Protection in Western Australia shows losses to romance and dating scams surged 27 per cent to $3.7 million in 2023, up from $2.8 million in 2022. This trend mirrors a national increase, with Scamwatch reporting a total of $30 million lost across Australia last year, primarily through social networking platforms.
