And in other news, the state government has issued a fresh warning about romance and dating scams as new data shows Western Australians are on track to be conned out of more than $4 million this year.
Finance and Women’s Interests Minister Sue Ellery.Credit: Hamish Hastie
In a press conference on Wednesday, Commerce Minister Sue Ellery urged the public to be on the lookout for red flags and not to take financial advice from anyone they have only met online.
The warning coincides with Scams Awareness Week and comes amid revelations two WA victims were swindled out of more than $1.4 million in the past month after helping an online love interest with relocation costs and investing in a fake cryptocurrency platform.
The two recent cases come as losses to romance scams surge to $2.9 million among 26 victims statewide so far this year, according to WA ScamNet figures.
The new data indicates the state is on track to beat last year’s record of $3.7 million.
Ellery warned those meeting others online to be cautious if asked for help with travel expenses, relocation fees, business opportunities or cryptocurrency investments.
“Romance scammers are cold-hearted criminals who will spend weeks, even months, messaging their victims, making them feel like they have formed a genuine connection, before shifting the conversation to money,” she said.
“It’s a major red flag if the love interest can’t meet in person. Remember that video calls are now being manipulated by scammers with convincing deepfake technology.”
People who have been targeted by scams can lodge a report at scamnet.wa.gov.au or call 1300 30 40 54.