The journey to find everlasting love is a quest human kind has been on forever.
Gone are the days of hand written love letters and proclamations of love in Shakespearean-like balcony scenes.
Modern dating has taken a turn, and it could be for the worse.
Many Australians now find their true love online, with over 48% of single people having tried online dating.
Whilst many people find their match online, there is a darker side to the new dating world.
ACCC report reveals huge losses:
The current “Targeting Scams” report”, released by The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, reveals online dating scams have cost Australians more than $21 million dollars.
Online dating scam losses per victim are high compared to other scam categories:
- 1013 consumers reported losses
- Almost five percent of online dating scam victims lost over $100,000
- Total online dating scam losses reported by consumers $21,908,851
The scam:
According to the ACCC, experienced criminal networks may run the scams.
They play on the victim’s emotions and the fact that they are open and vulnerable whilst looking for love.
The scammer will develop a rapport with the victim over a number of weeks or months to gain their trust.
They may move the victim away from the safety of the online dating site to another online location, such as e-mail.
The scammer will eventually ask the victim for money, typically to help cover costs for an injury, illness or family crisis.
Industry experts say use common sense:
Jayne Andrews, spokeswoman for Australia’s largest online dating site RSVP says that people need to use as much caution as they would when they meet someone in the street or at a party when dating online.
“We work to educate our members about protecting their personal information and advise them never to provide financial assistance to someone they meet online,” she said.
Because of the rising instance of fraud the ACCC and the Australian Communications and Media Authority have set guidelines encourage safer online dating.
Gen-Y and online dating:
More and more young people are signing up for online dating then ever before.
According to research completed by RSVP, 31% of Gen-Y males and 33% of Gen-Y females have tried online dating.
Ms Andrews says the stigma attached to online dating is a thing of the past.
“It’s mainstream these days,” she said.
University student Aimee Wolstenholme, 21, says she wouldn’t sign up for online dating anytime soon.
Ms Wolstenholme says that she feels she is capable of meeting someone in “the real world,” and wouldn’t want to risk being matched with “someone creepy or some scam artist”.
“I just think at this age there’s no point in looking for someone there. You hear about these strange people online and I just don’t think it would be worth it,” she said.
Ms Andrews says when online dating self-preservation is key.
“Exercise common sense and protect your personal information. Never give money to someone you meet online.”
If you feel you have been the victim of a scam you can report it to SCAMwatch.
