Love may break your heart … but it shouldn’t break your bank account! However, for many Australians, the risk of falling victim to online dating scams is higher than the list of online dating profiles by men who claim to be over six feet tall. In fact, a new report from Norton reveals that online dating scams are costing Aussies an average of $11,914 per victim, exposing the darker side of digital romance. The 2025 Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report – Online Dating highlights how scammers prey on emotions and trust, with AI now playing a pivotal role in both enhancing and deceiving online daters.
Real love, romance and the rise of online dating scams
The report reveals that nearly half (47%) of those targeted by online scams have fallen for romance scams, while 1 in 5 have been caught in sugar daddy/baby schemes. With Australians investing nearly eight hours per week in online dating, scammers are capitalising on their time and emotional investment, often leaving victims devastated both financially and emotionally. According to ACCC’s Scamwatch, Australians lost over $23.5 million to dating and romance scams in 2024, with social networking platforms being the most common hunting grounds for fraudsters.
Mark Gorrie, Managing Director APAC for Norton, warns that as Australians dedicate more time to finding love, they must also stay vigilant. “Romance scams remain one of the most common and devastating forms of online fraud. These scams prey on emotions, making it crucial for online daters to stay alert and question anything that feels off.” Internal threat data from Norton shows a 61% increase in Australians being protected against dating scams in 2024 compared to the previous year, highlighting the growing sophistication of these fraudulent tactics.
AI: A game changer for love and lies
Artificial intelligence is reshaping the online dating landscape, with 55% of daters admitting to using AI tools for dating coaching. AI-generated pickup lines, profile enhancements, and even photo editing are becoming increasingly common. However, cybercriminals are using the same technology to create hyper-realistic fake profiles, send AI-generated messages, and even manipulate victims into falling for scams.
“AI as a dating coach can seem harmless, even fun, but it’s also enabling scammers to be more convincing than ever before,” Gorrie explains. “From polished fake profiles to hyper-personalised messages, AI is making it harder for users to detect red flags.”
How to stay safe while swiping
Despite the growing threat, Australians are taking matters into their own hands. The report finds that 92% of dating app users implement safety measures, such as researching their matches online (52%), having a phone call before meeting in person (43%), and sharing their location with a friend (36%). However, scammers continue to find ways to bypass these precautions, making it vital for online daters to remain extra cautious.
Gorrie suggests key strategies to spot and avoid romance scams:
- Request a video call to verify identity. If they refuse or make excuses, be wary. Pay attention to unnatural expressions or fake-looking hair, which could indicate a deepfake.
- Research your match by checking their social media for sparse profiles or inconsistencies. Use Google’s reverse image search to see if their photos appear elsewhere.
- Never click on suspicious links sent by new connections. Scammers use AI to lure victims to fraudulent sites, including malware-infested pages.
- Limit personal information on dating profiles and use different usernames or emails to avoid doxxing.
- Watch for bot-like responses. If conversations feel scripted or overly generic, you might be talking to an AI-powered scam bot.
- Use a scam detection app like Norton Genie, which helps detect fake dating sites and scam links before they can cause harm.
The digital dating landscape is evolving, and while AI can help make matches, it’s also arming scammers with more tools than ever before. With romance scams reaching record highs, it’s essential to approach online dating with a mix of optimism and vigilance. By staying informed and using cyber safety tools, Australians can continue their search for love – without the heartbreak of financial loss.