Arabic version: استهداف المحتالين الرومانسيين عبر الإنترنت للأستراليين الضعفاء، والعائلات تكافح للمساعدة

Thousands of Australians have been lured into online dating and romance scams, with families often feeling helpless as loved ones become entrenched in these deceptive relationships. According to ABC News, consumer protection authorities emphasize the challenges in convincing victims that they have been duped.

One notable case involves a Perth woman, Tahina Leach, whose grandmother, who turns 80 this year, has become enamored with an individual posing as Raimy Salazar, a prominent Ecuadorian pan flute player. The grandmother was contacted on Facebook by a “Raimy Salazar official fan page” and then directed to an encrypted messaging app, where she began sending substantial amounts of money, purportedly to support the scammer’s music career.

Despite the family’s efforts to present evidence of the scam, the elderly woman remains resistant to their concerns. Leach has even sought assistance from a private investigator specializing in romance scams, but her grandmother continues to dismiss the warnings. “It’s just hard because nan doesn’t want to listen to me, of all people,” Leach remarked.

WA Commissioner for Consumer Protection, Trish Blake, highlighted the sophisticated psychological tactics employed by scammers, which often lead victims to isolate themselves from family and friends. “They would have spent some time telling her how wonderful she is, finding out things about her that really get her hooked in,” Blake explained.

To combat these scams, Blake advises families to contact ScamNet and inform the victim’s bank about the situation. Banks can initiate conversations regarding unusual financial activity, potentially aiding in the prevention of further losses. Additionally, retailers selling Apple gift cards are encouraged to engage with customers making large purchases, as these cards are commonly used by scammers due to their untraceable nature.