Looking for love online? There is a lot more to worry about than a broken heart

Looking for love online? There is a lot more to worry about than a broken heart

<  Back to News and Media

Published on:

October 6, 2020

IDCARE Managing Director, Professor David Lacey says reports of romance scams to our National Case Management Centre have increased by 40% during the coronavirus pandemic.

But those affected by these kinds of scams are facing a new risk - they could find themselves in trouble with the law.

As highlighted in this article by the ABC Sunshine Coast, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says people caught up in romance scams were also being used as mules for money laundering.

This happened to a 49-year-old woman on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast who was lucky to avoid criminal fraud charges after she unknowingly laundered $150,000 for an organised crime group.

The woman thought was she was falling in love with a US Army official she met online, but this wasn’t the case.

Here are some tips for staying safe when meeting someone online:

  • Be sure to meet in person or at least ask to see the person via a video (photos are not enough as they are easy to fake).
  • Never share driver licence details, passports, or other identification documents (eg. Proof of Age or student cards).
  • Don’t send money or agree to do personal transactions for someone you’ve never met face-to-face.

You can read the full ABC article here.

Think you might be involved in a relationship scam? Check out our video on Romance Scam Advice in the Learning Centre to find out more.

Other News

IDCARE is always active in the media from radio to TV, social media and news articles. Keep up to date with what's happening at IDCARE and in the media.
Family Impersonation Scams are on the Rise

Stop scammers stealing money and credentials from you and your family

Read more...
Marriott data breach

What Australians and New Zealanders need to know about the Marriott data breach...

Read more...

CONTACT US

IDCARE is here to provide you with specialist support and guidance when faced with a cyber and identity related issue. Contact one of our Identity & Cyber Security Case Managers to learn more about our Support Services and how we can help you.   

Get help
ONLINE FORM

Submit a web request

Call Centre Icon

Call our AUSTRALIAn
NATIONAL CASE MANAGEMENT CENTRE

1800 595 160

Mon - Fri: 8am - 5pm AEST

QLD: 07 3555 5900
ACT & NSW: 02 8999 3356
VIC: 03 7018 2366
NT, SA & WA08 7078 7741

Call Centre Icon

call our NEW ZEALAND
NATIONAL CASE MANAGEMENT CENTRE

0800 121 068

Mon - Fri: 10am - 7pm NZST

AKL: 09 884 4440