In the lead-up to Valentine’s Day, the National Anti-Scam Centre has released its final quarter scams statistics, revealing a troubling increase in romance scams. In 2025, Australians reported over $28.6 million in losses due to these scams, marking a 21.8% rise from the previous year.

Scammers primarily use online platforms, including social media and dating sites, to exploit victims, with over 80% of financial losses attributed to online interactions. ACCC Acting Chair Catriona Lowe emphasized the importance of awareness and communication among family and friends to combat these scams.

Romance scammers typically create fast emotional bonds, move conversations off public platforms, avoid in-person meetings, and introduce financial requests under pressure. Lowe warned that these criminals not only steal money but also inflict significant emotional trauma, leading to mental health crises.

The report also highlighted other scam trends, with a total of $334.9 million lost to various scams in 2025. Investment scams and phishing scams were among the highest reported losses, with online scams causing double the financial harm compared to other types.

To protect themselves, Australians are encouraged to follow the Stop. Check. Protect. guidelines, which advise taking time before sharing personal information, verifying the legitimacy of contacts, and acting quickly if something feels wrong.