Ipswich police are urging residents to remain vigilant online, warning that romance scams continue to cause significant emotional and financial harm across the community.
Speaking during West Bremer Radio’s weekly Crime Watch segment, Senior Constable Chantelle Dowell from the Ipswich District Crime Prevention Unit said scammers are increasingly targeting people through dating apps, social media and online forums.
“Romance scams can happen at any time of the year and are deliberately crafted by cyber criminals to build trust and then exploit it,” she said.
Police say offenders often create fake identities to form emotional connections before manipulating victims into sending money or sharing personal information, leaving them with both financial loss and emotional distress.
How to Protect Yourself
Senior Constable Dowell advised residents to take simple steps to reduce their risk, including keeping conversations on the original platform rather than moving to private messaging apps, verifying the person’s identity, and insisting on video calls or in-person meetings where possible.
She also warned never to send money or share bank details with someone met online, and encouraged people to discuss concerns with trusted friends or family if something feels suspicious.
“Talk to someone you trust — sometimes an outside perspective can help identify red flags,” she said.
What to Do if You’re Scammed
Police stressed that victims should act quickly if they believe they have been targeted.
Key steps include blocking the scammer, contacting your bank to stop transactions or freeze accounts, and reporting the incident to the relevant authorities.
Romance scam victims can lodge reports through cyber.gov.au and Scamwatch, and seek identity protection assistance via IDCARE Australia’s National Identity and Cyber Support Service.
Support services are also available, including Lifeline on 13 11 14 and Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, with police reminding victims that anyone can fall victim to sophisticated online scams.
Reporting Suspicious Activity
Residents are encouraged to report suspicious behaviour to Policelink on 131 444 for non-urgent matters, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Further cyber safety advice is available via the Queensland Police Service website.
Police say the key message is simple: take your time, verify who you are speaking to online, and never send money to someone you have not met in person.
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