Beware online dating scams: Vic minister

00:02 AEDT Tue Feb 14 2012

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People are being warned not to fall victim to scammers preying on lonely hearts this Valentine's Day.

Victorian Consumer Affairs Minister Michael O'Brien says online romance scams are particularly common at this time of year, with perpetrators posing behind fake profiles on dating sites to build emotional relationships with victims before trying to scam cash from them.

More than 1400 romance-related scams were reported to the state's consumer affairs watchdog last year. Several victims said their hearts had been broken by con artists pretending to be American soldiers stationed in the Middle East.

One man posing as a soldier claimed he was unable to take leave to visit his victim unless she transferred $23,000 for a secure charter flight.

"Even if you feel you have developed a strong relationship over time with somebody over the internet, always remain vigilant and remember that it is extremely difficult to recover money transferred to scammers," Mr O'Brien said in a statement.

"Under no circumstances should you offer to transfer money for others."

Mr O'Brien urged people to visit consumer.vic.gov.au for advice and to dob in suspected scammers.

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