A national taskforce targeting romance scams has shown how coordinated action across banks, platforms, and regulators can disrupt highly personal, high‑loss frauds and better support victims, according to a new report from the National Anti‑Scam Centre.
The Romance Scam Fusion Cell operated from July to December, bringing together dating and social media platforms, law enforcement, banks, cryptocurrency exchanges, victim support services, academics – and, for the first time, survivors who shared their lived experience.
Romance scams remain among the top three scam types for losses, with more than $28.6 million reported to Scamwatch in 2025 alone. The Centre’s latest taskforce report underscores that the real impact goes far beyond the dollar figures.
“Romance scams are deeply personal crimes that can have lasting emotional and financial impacts. Scammers use emotional manipulation to build trust before seeking money, personal information or even to encourage people to participate in investment scams,” ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe said in a media release.
The fusion cell introduced new frameworks for banks and digital currency exchanges to share information about suspected scam transactions so they can be stopped before funds disappear. Participants shared URLs used in romance‑baiting investment scams with crypto platforms and traced linked blockchain activity.
In total, 377 scam websites, WhatsApp accounts, email addresses, and social media profiles were referred for takedown or blocking, while 1,004 suspected scam transactions and 168 suspect cryptocurrency wallet addresses were sent for investigation, blocking ,and blacklisting. Digital platforms also used shared intelligence on romance scam trends and tactics to strengthen screening and in‑app safety measures.
“The Romance Scam Fusion Cell has demonstrated the value of coordinated action in tackling this harm,” Lowe said. “By sharing intelligence and working collaboratively across sectors, we are better equipped to identify and respond to scam activity earlier, assist with victim support, and reduce the risk of further financial and personal harm.”
Beyond disruption, the taskforce focused heavily on practical tools for frontline responders. It produced response guides for bank staff, police, and support workers to promote consistent, trauma‑informed ways to identify romance scams, help victims disengage, and connect them to support.
A pilot disengagement referral process saw banks link customers still entangled in scams with specialist organisations, revealing operational challenges but also new strategies for safely reaching victims.
The fusion cell also tested an Online Relationship Health Check – a 20‑question self‑assessment tool to help people spot red flags such as fast emotional bonding, pressure to move conversations off platforms, refusal to meet in person, and escalating financial requests.
Awareness work extended into aged care, disability support, and First Nations communities, supported by tailored resources and a “Language Matters” guide to promote non‑stigmatising, trauma‑aware communication.
Lowe stressed that the ripple effects of romance scams hit not only individuals but entire support networks.
“Behind these figures are not only those targeted by scams, but also the friends, families, and support networks who are affected. Everyone deserves to feel safe when connecting online,” she said.
The report backs the National Anti‑Scam Centre’s Stop. Check. Protect. advice, urging people to pause before sending money or personal details, verify who they are dealing with using trusted contact channels, and act quickly if something feels wrong by contacting their bank, changing passwords and reporting the scam.
Click each step to see what to do.
STOP. Always take a moment before giving your money or personal information to anyone. Scammers will create a sense of urgency to pressure you into acting quickly. Don’t rush to make decisions about money or sharing personal details.
What to do:
CHECK. Make sure the person or organisation you’re dealing with is real. Scammers pretend to be from organisations you know and trust. Always verify who you’re really dealing with before taking any action.
What to do:
PROTECT. Act quickly if something feels wrong. The sooner you act, the better you can protect yourself and others from scammers.
What to do:
Being scammed can feel overwhelming. Support is available at Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
“Every intervention counts and each disruption represents a critical break in the scam cycle,” Lowe said, adding that the National Anti‑Scam Centre will keep working with partners to disrupt scam activity and improve access to “timely, compassionate, and practical assistance.”
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