A love scam syndicate operating in the Philippines has victimized over 5,000 Australians, prompting serious concerns from the Australian government.
Kathleen Dehlers of the Australian Federal Police revealed that scammers stole approximately AUD $24 million from their victims—primarily Australian men aged 35 to 80—through deceptive schemes on online dating platforms.
“Some victims lost their entire life savings, only to later realize they had been deceived,” Dehlers stated.
The large-scale scam, uncovered in August last year, led Canberra to seek assistance from Philippine authorities.
SOPHISTICATED ROMANCE SCAM STRATEGY
During a recent operation targeting an online scam compound in Pasay City, investigators discovered a detailed script designed to manipulate victims.
The script included an emotional backstory, affectionate language, and a structured daily interaction plan to build trust over a one-week period.
Scammers typically posed as kind-hearted Filipino women living in Australia or local residents in the Philippines who had suffered heartbreak, claiming their ex-fiancé wanted “my money, not my love.”
As the online relationship developed, the scammer would introduce cryptocurrency trading as a side business before presenting it as a lucrative financial opportunity.
Victims were encouraged to invest between AUD $300 to $800 in cryptocurrency, initially transferring funds through legitimate exchange platforms.
However, the scammers later convinced them to move their investments into fraudulent accounts, eventually pressuring them to invest larger amounts.
“It is a highly structured seven-day scheme designed to win people’s trust and confidence,” Dehlers explained.
CRACKDOWN ON SCAM CENTERS
Australian authorities collaborated with Philippine agencies, including the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), to identify potential Australian victims.
Last year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a crackdown on Chinese-run online gaming operations in the Philippines, citing their involvement in financial scams, human trafficking, kidnappings, torture, and even murder.
Although many Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) have shut down, authorities warn that several continue to operate in smaller capacities, evolving into scam centers that engage in romance fraud.
Dehlers emphasized the need for global cooperation to combat these transnational crimes.
“International partnerships are crucial in addressing this issue.
This is not just one country’s problem—it is an international problem,” she said.
“If we pool our expertise, we stand a better chance of protecting our citizens and shutting these criminals down.”