WA authorities have issued a Valentine's Day warning about online romance scams, revealing several 'red flags' to watch out for. Last year, 63 West Australians fell victim to these scams, losing a total of approximately $3.8 million. Attorney General Tony Buti emphasized the seriousness of the situation, urging people not to send money until a real-life meeting has taken place. He highlighted common tactics used by scammers, such as creating fake profiles on dating websites and apps, engaging in 'love bombing' to form friendships, and eventually requesting financial assistance. Mr. Buti also warned about the increasing threat of AI, where deepfake technology could impersonate real individuals, as evidenced by a woman who was almost fooled during a video call. The National Anti-Scam Centre noted that romance scams disproportionately target individuals over 35, those with disabilities or diverse backgrounds, and people who are divorced, widowed, or actively seeking relationships. While men are more likely to report scams, women report higher financial losses. Between January 2024 and May 2025, women lost $20.1 million, compared to $13.3 million for men, with an average loss of $36,091 per scam for women and $17,089 for men. People aged 65 and over incurred the highest total losses. Mr. Buti attributed the under-reporting of figures to a 'shame factor', encouraging individuals to trust their instincts, verify profile photos using reverse image searches, and take time to truly get to know someone before sharing personal information or financial details.
