Far north Queenslanders are being told to stay vigilant, following reports of an increase in people falling victim to romance scams.
Officers say scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and often target vulnerable people, including seniors, those under financial pressure or looking for love.
The advice is to never send anyone money, card or bank details, no matter how strong you think your connection with someone online is.
In many instances, scammers will then manufacture an emergency situation which an amount of money can fix and request the sum from the victim while promising to pay it back.
Officer in charge of the Cairns Criminal Investigation Branch Detective Senior Sergeant Alina Bell says police will always support victims who report romance scams.
“If you have been a victim of a romance scam, it’s important to understand you are not at fault. The people behind these scams are well practiced in gaining your trust so you will act on their requests.
“To defraud any person is horrible, but to specifically seek out mature people who may be vulnerable is cruel.”
Anyone at any stage in life can be vulnerable to scams and while it is confronting and upsetting, we ask victims to come forward, seek support and report what has happened to ReportCyber or police.
Victims of a scam can make a report with ReportCyber.
Anyone with information relating to a scam, can report it to ScamWatch.
Any victims of identity theft or fraud can find options for support services at IDCare.
