Scamwatch is warning of the warning signs of relationship scams, which can range from short 'romance baiting' frauds that shift into fake investment schemes to long-term cons in which scammers build trust over months or years before fabricating a crisis to extract money.

Red flags include rapid declarations of love, refusal to video call or meet in person, requests for money or cryptocurrency, demands for personal details or account access, and efforts to isolate victims from friends and family, the ACCC-run service said on 13 April. Scammers often target people seeking connection online, those newly single or bereaved, and those with savings or cryptocurrency holdings.