I have beenresearching romance fraudfor more than a decade.
I have heard the painful and traumatic stories of hundreds of victims.
While each story is unique, there are common factors, and some wider lessons to learn.
What is romance fraud?
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It typically happens online, through a dating website or app, or social media platform.
In many cases, the victim and offender never actually meet.
However, as The Tinder Swindler shows, it can also happen in face-to-face relationships.
Each of his actions was deliberate and purposeful, and is reflected across known offending patterns more broadly.
But we must not underestimate a skilled offenders ability to identify a weakness or vulnerability and exploit it mercilessly.
Many victims would not have been deceived had they seen the message at a different time.
Offenders target hundreds of victims in the hope of a single success.
My research has also found many offenders usepsychological abusetechniques similar to those commonly found in domestic violence.
All these tactics impair a victims ability to think clearly about their situation or seek help.
Instead, its the result of a painstaking grooming process.
This tactic reduces the victims ability to respond rationally or seek outside advice.
Victims of romance fraud suffer a wide range of negative impacts, including shame and social stigma.
How can I prevent it happening to me?
Online dating is fraught enough without having to worry about financial fraud.
It is hard to know someone on a dating app is really who they say they are.
The truth is that a determined enough fraudster can extend their online lies into the offline world.
Ultimately, fraud is almost always about money.
In 2020, Australians lost more thanA$131 millionto romance fraud.
Its a heavy price to pay for chasing true love.
For support, contactiDcare.
For prevention advice, consultScamwatch.
