The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued a warning to all smartphone users that a new scam is brewing in the country.
According to the agency, some reports pinpoint that someone impersonates a Korean woman who is fond of traveling around the region.
The authorities said that if there's an unknown contact on WhatsApp who messages you and is seeking a relationship, it's most likely a romance phishing scam.
An Influx of Romance Phishing Scam
Australia warns that romance scams are increasing, suggesting that more victims fall into these traps easily.
Australia's consumer watchdog warns all users to be careful when talking to different messaging platforms, per 7News. Because there's a surge in romance scams everywhere, it's important to pay attention to the details that the scammer is asking for.
"Be wary of WhatsApp messages from a Korean girl claiming to be traveling around Australia seeking a relationship. It's a scam. The conversation eventually leads to a cryptocurrency investment scam," ACCC said.
When you receive this suspicious message, the best thing you can do is simply ignore it. Immediately block the number to avoid receiving any chats from the stranger.
Someone interested in entering new relationships is commonly seen in dating apps, but this one is different. Over WhatsApp, you will notice that the scammer will aim to attract you in hopes of stealing your money.
The person will confess to love, then later tell you that she can't meet you in person because of some circumstances.
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Romance Scams Continue to Rise
As per Bank of Queensland spokesperson Ben Griffin, you need to watch out for the biggest red flags when talking with the scammer.
Once you notice that she quickly declared love and affection to you, you need to act quickly to avoid falling into the emotional triggers. The fact that she can't be available face-to-face is another sign that something is wrong with the relationship that she is asking for.
For the victims who encountered a romance scam, it's not only about losing hard-earned money. It also gave them false hopes that someone could love them back in an instant.
According to ACCC, over 3,400 romance scams were recorded in 2021. This is pretty alarming despite several warnings to never engage in any dubious transactions online.
Love Scams Outside Australia
In the US, a 30-year-old influencer was reportedly extradited after she was found guilty of six charges. The New York federal court said that Mona Faiz Montrage was involved in money laundering and wire fraud. What's worse, she was allegedly behind the $2 million romance scam, per NBC News.
In Hong Kong, authorities arrested a family after stealing HK$21 million, or nearly $2.7 million from over 300 Hongkongers, according to the South China Morning Post.
The report added that the involved suspects in the case: a mother and two brothers used the stolen money to buy two luxury cars they got from running love scams.
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