This Valentine’s Day, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) is turning the tables on romance scammers by revealing the real-life scripts they use to manipulate and defraud victims.
The dialogue, designed to tug at heartstrings and empty bank accounts, was uncovered during an international operation to dismantle a scam compound in the Philippines.
The script, used to lure Australians via online dating apps, lays out a calculated approach to building fake relationships. It includes an elaborate backstory, affectionate language, and a structured daily communication plan designed to keep the victim engaged for up to a week.
The AFP-led Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre (JPC3), in partnership with the National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC), is now urging Australians to read the script and remain vigilant against fraudsters preying on those seeking love online.
Scammers posing as kind-hearted Filipino women living in Australia or local residents in the Philippines would share tales of heartbreak—claiming an ex-fiancé was only after their money, not their love. Gradually, they would introduce cryptocurrency trading as a supposed side job, portraying it as a lucrative opportunity. Once trust was established, victims would be encouraged to invest between AUD $300-$800 in cryptocurrency, transferring funds from legitimate exchanges into the scammer’s crypto wallet. The fraudsters would then pressure them to invest increasingly larger amounts.
JPC3 collaborated with NASC, the Philippines Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, and the National Bureau of Investigation to track more than 5,000 Australian targets of this scam. As part of Operation Firestorm, a global initiative against offshore cybercriminals, authorities alerted potential victims via text messages in January 2025, warning them not to send money to online acquaintances.
AFP Commander Cybercrime Operations Graeme Marshall said sharing the scam script with the public was key to preventing future fraud. “We want to ensure that everyone using dating apps has the tools and information to stay safe online and swipe left on romance scammers,” he said.
“These fraudsters craft elaborate backstories to sound convincing, but if something feels off, step back and seek advice from a trusted friend or colleague.”
Marshall urged Australians to verify online acquaintances by performing Google searches, reverse image lookups, and requesting video calls before engaging in financial transactions. “Most importantly, never send money to someone you’ve only met online,” he added.
Australian Competition & Consumer Commission Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe highlighted the devastating impact of romance scams, noting Australians lost $23.6 million to such fraud in 2024. “Scammers build trust over time and then exploit it, persuading victims to part with significant sums. The emotional and financial consequences can be severe,” Lowe said, urging people to verify investment opportunities through registered financial advisors.
Authorities recommend that Australians protect themselves by refusing to send money or cryptocurrency to online acquaintances, verifying identities, and being wary of overly affectionate behaviour. If someone professes love too quickly or avoids video calls, it’s a red flag.
Victims of scams should immediately cease contact, take screenshots of conversations, and report incidents to banks, police, and ScamWatch. Social media platforms should also be notified if scammers used their services to reach victims.
For those needing support, organisations like Lifeline (13 11 14) and Beyond Blue (1300 224 636) offer 24/7 assistance. With thousands of Australians targeted by romance scams each year, authorities hope that exposing the fraudsters’ playbook will prevent more heartbreak and financial ruin.
Support Our Journalism
The global Indian Diaspora and Australia’s multicultural communities need fair, non-hyphenated, and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. The Australia Today—with exceptional reporters, columnists, and editors—is doing just that. Sustaining this requires support from wonderful readers like you.
Whether you live in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States of America, or India you can take a paid subscription by clicking Patreon
