Know the signs
Dating Scams and Catfish: Five Quick Checks to Spot Them
Warning signs, a photo check and who to tell in Australia if money or images are involved.
Yes, catfish and dating scams are a real risk in Australia. Watch for a rush to leave the site, excuses to avoid video calls, secrecy and a story that needs money. Spot them? Stop sending anything and report it to the site, ReportCyber and Scamwatch.
How common are dating scams in Australia?
- $139.9 millioncombined losses in 2025, all reporting sources (National Anti-Scam Centre)
- 3,432dating scam reports to Scamwatch in 2025 (quoted by the AFP)
- $28 millionreportedly stolen in 2025 (Scamwatch, quoted by the AFP)
The National Anti-Scam Centre’s Targeting Scams report for 2025 puts losses to this kind of scam at $139.9 million across all reporting sources, the third highest of any scam type. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) quotes Scamwatch’s own, separate count: 3,432 reports and $28 million reportedly stolen.
What does a catfish look like?
A catfish is someone who builds trust behind a fake identity, such as a fake dating profile. The AFP, Consumer Affairs Victoria and the Australian Banking Association list these dating-scam warning signs.
| The sign | In a chat | Your move |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves the site fast | Asks for WhatsApp or Telegram early | Keep chatting on the site |
| Heavy early attention | Constant messages, big declarations | Set your own pace |
| Never a call or a meet | Always an excuse, or a cover story such as an overseas job, oil rig or military deployment | Ask for a video call |
| Asks for secrecy | Wants friends and family kept out | Tell someone you trust |
| A story that needs money | Urgent requests, often investment or crypto | Never send money |
| Polished photos, thin details | Flawless pictures, little detail | Run a reverse image search |
| An AI-generated video call | Picture and sound may look glitchy or blurry | Be mindful, and check another way |
Five quick checks on any profile
Run a reverse image search
Try Google or TinEye, as Consumer Affairs Victoria suggests. The same face under another name is a red flag.
Check social media
The AFP says to check their social media presence. Do the name, photos and story match?
Ask for a live video call
The AFP suggests it, but AI-generated calls ‘may look and sound glitchy or appear blurry’.
Stay on the site
The AFP says to stay on the dating platform until you are sure they are legitimate.
Get a second opinion
The AFP advises talking to friends, family or anyone you trust. Show them the chat.
Your own profile should pass these too: see sex dating profile tips. Before you meet, read meeting for sex safely.
What should you do about sextortion?
The ACCCE, a child-protection centre, defines sextortion as online blackmail: someone tricks or coerces you into sending sexual images, then threatens to share them.
Never pay. The ACCCE says they will demand more money. Stop the chat, screenshot the messages and profile, block the account and report it to the platform. Do not send more images, answer demands or go it alone.
The ACCCE’s report button is for cases involving children. As an adult, report to the site and ReportCyber, and ask eSafety to remove images. Lifeline is on 13 11 14. Call 000 if you are in danger. Keeping your sex life private online helps you share less.
What if you have already sent money or details?
Getting money back can be hard, as one of the AFP’s case studies says. Report anyway, in this order.
Call your bank
Contact your bank immediately to stop transactions and discuss recovery options, says Consumer Affairs Victoria.
Stop contact, keep proof
Block them and send nothing more. Keep the messages: you will need them to report.
Report to ReportCyber and Scamwatch
The AFP says to tell police through ReportCyber. Consumer Affairs Victoria adds Scamwatch and the platform where it happened.
Protect your identity
IDCARE, on 1800 595 160, gives identity theft support if you shared personal details.
Look after yourself
Talk it through with Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
Consumer Affairs Victoria warns of ‘recovery scams’: scammers posing as trusted third parties offering to get your money back.
How Local Sex Meets helps you spot trouble
If a chat starts moving to WhatsApp or another app, the site shows a warning. Blocking is instant, reporting is easy and a person answers support at any hour. ID verification is optional and earns a badge; it and the live video check are signals, not proof. See the safety page, or read is Local Sex Meets legit?
Dating scam questions, answered
What is a catfish?
A catfish is someone who builds trust behind a fake identity. The giveaways are polished photos with thin details, excuses to avoid video calls, a rush to leave the site and a story that needs money.
How do I check a photo?
Use a reverse image search such as Google or TinEye, as Consumer Affairs Victoria suggests. A match under another name is a red flag, and a blank result proves nothing either way. Check their social media too.
Where do I report a dating scam in Australia?
Report it to Scamwatch and to the platform where it happened, as Consumer Affairs Victoria advises. The AFP says victims of cybercrime should also report to police through ReportCyber. If you are in immediate danger, call 000.
Can I get my money back?
It can be hard. One of the AFP’s case studies says it is unlikely the funds will be recovered. Ring your bank at once, as Consumer Affairs Victoria advises, report the scam and be wary of anyone offering to get the money back.
What is sextortion, and should I pay?
Sextortion is online blackmail over sexual images. Never pay, because the ACCCE says the person will demand more money. Stop the chat, take screenshots, block the account and report it to the platform, ReportCyber and eSafety.
Sources and dates
- National Anti-Scam Centre, Targeting Scams report for 2025 (March 2026), via ABC News
- Australian Federal Police, media release, 9 February 2026
- Consumer Affairs Victoria, news item, 3 February 2026
- Australian Banking Association, scam warning signs
- ACCCE, sextortion help page
- IDCARE, service details
General information only, checked 18 October 2026. Contact your bank, ReportCyber, Scamwatch, IDCARE or eSafety, or ask a lawyer.