The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has publicly released a script used by romance scammers in an international fraud ring, following a large-scale raid in the Philippines that led to the arrest of over 250 suspected cybercriminals.
The operation, carried out in Manila last year, resulted in the seizure of more than 1,000 mobile phones, thousands of sim cards, and over 300 computer towers.
How the Scam Worked
The scam primarily targeted men over 35 on social media and dating apps, with scammers working in shifts to align with Australian time zones.As part of the fraud, the scammer would pretend to be a kind-hearted Filipino woman—either living in Australia or the Philippines—who had been deceived by a past fiancé who wanted “my money, not my love.”
Once trust was built, the scammers subtly introduced cryptocurrency trading, presenting it as their side job and later as a lucrative opportunity.
They convinced victims to invest between $300 and $800 (US$189 to $505) in a fake trading platform, pressuring them to transfer funds from legitimate crypto exchanges to the scammer’s crypto accounts.
The victim would then be put under pressure to make more investments of higher amounts.
‘Rom-Con’ Script Exposed
AFP Cybercrime Commander Graeme Marshall said releasing the scam script was critical to educating the public and protecting potential victims.
The detailed script (pdf) includes emotive and affectionate language, and a daily timeline to help the scammer engage and maintain a conversation with the victim for up to seven days.“Scammers will use emotive language and create backstories that sound genuine to try and trick you into giving them money,” Marshall said.
He urged online daters to perform reverse image searches, be cautious of fast-moving relationships, and never send money to people they have not met in person or via video call.
“Being deceived by someone online can have long-lasting financial and emotional effects. If something feels off, take a step back, and seek advice from a family member, friend, or work colleague,” he said.International Law Enforcement Crackdown
The scam has prompted a call from the AFP-led Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre (JPC3), to partner up with the Philippines’ Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and the National Bureau of Investigation.
The case highlights the increasing use of dating apps as hunting grounds for cybercriminals, with scammers constantly refining their tactics.
Anyone who has fallen victim to such scams is urged to report it to their bank or digital currency exchange immediately and then file a report with ReportCyber. To help others avoid similar scans, it can also be reported to ScamWatch.
Help is available from Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636, who provide 24/7 support services.
