How to report a romance scam in Australia
Key facts
| First call | Your bank or card provider, to stop transactions |
|---|---|
| Report the scam | Scamwatch, run by the National Anti-Scam Centre |
| Report to police | ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au |
| Non-urgent police | Police Assistance Line 131 444; emergencies 000 |
Romance scams are built to make you feel embarrassed, so people often stay quiet. Reporting quickly gives you the best chance of stopping more losses. These are the official routes in Australia.
Call your bank, then report to Scamwatch
Scamwatch advises contacting your bank or card provider straight away to stop any transactions, then making a Scamwatch report. If your identity is at risk, Scamwatch can connect you with IDCARE for support.
Source: Scamwatch: Report a scam, checked 8 November 2026
Report cybercrime to police through ReportCyber
You can report a cybercrime to police through the ReportCyber portal on cyber.gov.au. The Australian Cyber Security Centre also runs a 24/7 support hotline on 1300 CYBER1 (1300 292 371).
Source: cyber.gov.au: Help during a cybercrime, checked 8 November 2026
Know the warning signs
Scamwatch lists the signs: fast declarations of love, pushing to move to another app, avoiding video calls and meetings, and asking for money, gift cards, crypto or ID. If you see these, stop and talk to someone you trust.
Source: Scamwatch: Spot the signs of a relationship scam, checked 8 November 2026
Questions
Should I report a scam if I did not lose money?
Yes. Scamwatch reports help warn others and can help take scam profiles and websites down.
Will I get my money back?
It is not guaranteed, which is why calling your bank quickly matters most.
Should I report the profile to the dating site?
Yes. Use block and report. Every report on our network is reviewed by a person.
Read next
Our sister site Smooch has more first date ideas. WhichDating, our sister review site, has a guide to first date tips.