The Victorian Government is urging Victorians to stay alert to romance and dating scams this Valentine’s Day, as new figures show millions of dollars continue to be lost through online deception.
More than $5.6 million was reported lost to romance scams across Victoria last year, with authorities warning that scammers are becoming harder to spot, especially as technology evolves.
Consumer Affairs Minister Nick Staikos said the rise of artificial intelligence and deep fake videos is giving fraudsters new tools to make fake identities appear more believable.
“As technology becomes more advanced, romance scams have become increasingly sophisticated and convincing, and they can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender or background,” he said.
National data paints a similar picture. Australians reported losses of more than $27 million to romance fraudsters in 2025, with people of all ages affected.
Officials say many scams begin on dating platforms or social media, often with someone who quickly forms an intense emotional connection. One common tactic is “lovebombing”, where scammers overwhelm a person with constant affection or grand declarations early on.
Victorians are being encouraged to watch for warning signs, including someone pushing to move chats off a dating app, promoting “easy money” investment opportunities such as cryptocurrency, or asking for money, banking details, or urgent financial help.
The government is also reminding people to be cautious about how much personal information they share online, as scammers often use small details to build trust or manipulate conversations.
Another key red flag is refusal to meet in person. Authorities note that genuine relationships progress naturally, while scammers tend to avoid face-to-face contact.
While awareness of romance scams is improving, officials say criminals continue to adapt their methods, including targeting victims again through so-called recovery scams, where someone pretends to offer help getting lost money back.
Anyone who believes they may have been scammed is advised to contact their bank immediately and report the incident to Scamwatch, as well as the platform where the scam occurred.
Support is also available through IDCARE for identity theft assistance on 1800 595 160. Anyone experiencing emotional distress can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
Minister Staikos said the message this Valentine’s Day is simple: stay cautious, trust your instincts, and do not feel pressured into sharing money or personal details online.
“We want to help people understand how to spot the red flags and protect themselves from romance scammers who will go to the most deceptive lengths to fool hard-working Victorians out of their hard-earned money,” he said.
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