The National Anti-Scam Centre has released its latest fusion cell report today, detailing how a sector-wide crackdown on romance scams has helped to strengthen disruption efforts, enhance intelligence sharing and improve victim education and support.
The Romance Scam Fusion Cell, which ran from July 2025 to December 2025, brought together dating and social media platforms, law enforcement, banks, victim support services, cryptocurrency exchanges, and academic experts in a coordinated effort to tackle romance scams. For the first time, it also included survivors of romance scams who bravely shared their lived experience.
The report highlights the combined actions of the taskforce to address the significant financial and emotional harm caused by romance scams. Romance scams are persistently in the top three scam types causing losses. More than $28.6 million in financial losses was reported to Scamwatch between January and December in 2025 due to romance scams.
"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.
"The Romance Scam Fusion Cell has demonstrated the value of coordinated action in tackling this harm. 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."
Key achievements of the Romance Scam Fusion Cell
Disruption outcomes
- Established new frameworks between banks and digital currency exchanges for sharing suspected scam transactions, stopping the theft before it occurs
- Sharing of URLs used in romance baiting investment scams with digital currency exchanges and identifying related scam-linked blockchain transactions
- 377 scam websites, WhatsApp accounts, emails and social media profiles referred for takedown and blocking
- 1,004 suspected scam transactions and 168 suspect scam cryptocurrency wallet addresses referred for investigation, blocking, and blacklisting
- Improved on-platform screening and safety by sharing romance scam trends and scammer tactics intelligence with digital platforms
New operational capabilities
- Developed three frontline response guides for bank staff, law enforcement, and support workers/carers to promote consistent, trauma-informed scam identification, disengagement, and referral
- Piloted a disengagement referral process for banks, connecting customers still engaged in a romance scam to support organisations. Despite a limited number of referrals, the trial provided valuable insights into operational challenges and strategies for connecting victims with appropriate support services
Support and resource development
- Developed a pilot Online Relationship Health Check, a 20-question self-assessment tool to help victims identify romance scam risk factors in their relationships
- Raised awareness and early intervention capabilities in the aged care and disability support sectors through hosting industry forums for management and client-facing staff
- Delivered an Australian-first romance scam online peer-support group pilot demonstrating the benefits of small group, recovery support led by fellow participants
- Co-designed, with First Nations community members, a culturally appropriate romance scam awareness poster in the Murrinh-patha language
- Developed a Language Matters guide to support crime-accurate, trauma-informed and non-stigmatising communication across the ecosystem
- Created and delivered train-the-trainer resources to uplift support worker staff capability and build confidence in organisations working with at-risk populations
"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," Ms Lowe said.
"Every intervention counts and each disruption represents a critical break in the scam cycle. The National Anti-Scam Centre will continue working with partners to disrupt scam activity, improve prevention efforts and support access to timely, compassionate and practical assistance. We thank all fusion cell participants for their time expertise and energy."
Fusion cells are time-limited taskforces designed to bring together expertise from government and the private sector to take action to address specific, urgent scam issues. The Romance Scam Fusion Cell is the third fusion cell coordinated by the National Anti-Scam Centre. The first fusion cell focused on combatting investment scams. The second fusion cell addressed job and employment scams.
For further details about fusion cells, please see here.
How to spot a romance scam
Romance scammers often follow a similar pattern:
- Creating a fast emotional bond
Scammers may present as attentive, understanding and affectionate early on. They often mirror interests and values to create a sense of connection and trust.
An example of a scammer 'love bombing' through text messages
- Moving conversations off platforms
Requests to switch from dating apps or social media to private messaging services are common. This helps scammers avoid detection and monitoring.
- Avoiding in-person contact
Scammers typically have reasons why they cannot meet, such as working overseas, military service or sudden travel restrictions.
- Introducing a financial request
Requests may start small and escalate over time. These can include money for emergencies, investments, travel, gifts, cryptocurrency or gift cards.
An example of a romance scammer introducing a financial request
- Applying pressure or secrecy
Scammers may create urgency, discourage talking to friends or family, or suggest the relationship is private or special.
An example of a romance scammer escalating to threats and extortion
Learn how to Stop. Check. Protect. to stay safe from scams:
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:
- Say no, hang up, or delete suspicious messages
- Take time to think before responding to unexpected requests
- Don't let anyone pressure you into immediate action
- Trust your instincts if something feels wrong
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:
- Contact the person or organisation directly using phone numbers or email addresses you find on their official website or app
- Research investment opportunities or offers through official sources like ASIC
- Get a second opinion from family, friends, or professionals
PROTECT. Act quickly it something feels wrong. The sooner you act, the better you can protect yourself and others from scammers.
What to do:
- Contact your bank immediately if you think you've lost money or shared financial details
- Contact IDCARE (www.idcare.org or call 1800 595 160) if you want support to recover - they can help you create a plan to the limit damage of scams
- Report to Scamwatch (www.scamwatch.gov.au) to help protect others
- Report to police (www.cyber.gov.au)
- Change passwords and security details if you think they've been compromised
- Monitor your bank statements and credit reports for unusual activity
- Report the scam to the impersonated organisation and platform where the scam is happening
- Being scammed can feel overwhelming. Support is available at Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636
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