Romance scammers cost Australians over $40 million every year according to the ACCC. They target genuine people looking for real connection, and they're getting harder to spot. This guide will show you exactly what to look for — and what GR8Date does to keep them off the platform entirely.
The Most Common Warning Signs
They move fast emotionally
Scammers create intense emotional connections very quickly. Within days they're calling you their soulmate, saying they've never felt this way before, and talking about a future together. Real relationships take time. If someone is professing deep love within the first week, be very cautious.
They can never video call
This is one of the most reliable red flags. A scammer will always have an excuse — bad connection, camera broken, working somewhere remote, military deployment. If someone has been talking to you for weeks and still can't do a simple video call, that's a serious warning sign.
Their story doesn't add up
Scammers often claim to be working overseas — on an oil rig, in the military, doing construction in another country. Their backstory tends to be vague and inconsistent. If you ask specific questions they become evasive or change details.
They ask for money
This is the endgame. It usually starts small — an emergency, a sick relative, a problem with their bank account, being stranded somewhere. Then it escalates. They may ask for bank transfers, gift cards (Apple Cards, Google Play, iTunes are extremely common), cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. Once money is involved, stop all contact immediately.
Their photos look too perfect
Many scammers use stolen photos of attractive people — often models or military personnel. Do a reverse image search on Google Images. If the same photo appears under a different name, you're dealing with a scammer.
They avoid meeting in person
Despite long conversations and apparent strong feelings, there's always a reason they can't meet. Genuine people want to meet. Scammers never do.
The IP Address Tell
One thing most people don't know is that scammers often use VPN software to hide their real location. They'll claim to be in Sydney or Melbourne while actually operating from overseas. On GR8Date, we track IP addresses and activity patterns. When we see someone cycling through dozens of different IP addresses in a single session, it's an immediate flag for investigation.
What to Do If You Suspect a Scammer
- Stop all contact immediately
- Do not send any money under any circumstances
- Report the profile to the platform
- Report to ScamWatch at scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam
- If you've lost money, contact your bank immediately and report to the AFP via cyber.gov.au
How GR8Date Protects You
Every single profile on GR8Date is manually reviewed by a real person before it goes live. We also require age verification for all members. Our moderation team monitors the platform continuously. When a member is reported, we investigate their full activity history including IP addresses, message patterns, and session data. If we find evidence of scam behaviour we ban the account immediately and report the evidence to ScamWatch and the AFP.
The Bottom Line
The best protection against dating scammers is a combination of your own awareness and a platform that takes safety seriously. Know the signs, trust your instincts, and choose platforms that verify their members.
GR8Date exists specifically because the major apps don't do enough. We built this platform for Australians who are serious about finding real connection — and that means keeping it safe for everyone.