Police warn of romance scams after two men report alleged fraud

The ads were allegedly used in a romance scam that collected $496,578 from three men in Queensland and Western Australia between June 2022 and February 2023.

A man from Toowoomba and another from the Cassowary Coast told police they responded to the personal ad and were informed the woman worked for a paid dating business.

The men paid their fees and were allegedly asked for more money.

The men were then told the woman needed money to break her work contract, police said.

The Toowoomba man allegedly lost around $42,000 and the Cassowary Coast man said he had paid the alleged fraudster $343,500.

Both men contacted police about the "50-year-old blue-eyed blonde" which prompted an investigation that found a third victim in Western Australia who had allegedly lost $111,000.

Inspector Jason Chetham said police will listen to people's stories in a non-judgmental way and provide support services.

"Historically we know shame and embarrassment can be a barrier to people reporting," he said.

"Whether or not they want to proceed with the complaint, we'd love for them to come forward.

"They're not the offenders, they're the victims... we're focussed on helping them as much as they can."

Police searched three Gold Coast homes on July 25 and charged two women suspected of running the scam.

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In one of the homes police allegedly found $79,200 in cash hidden inside pillows on a bed.

A 29-year-old woman from Benowa has been charged with five counts of fraud.

A second Benowa woman, aged 52 years, was charged with five counts of fraud and one count of receiving tainted property, possessing tainted property and contravening an order about access to information stored electronically.

Both women will appear before the Southport Magistrates Court on October 3.

A 52-year-old Mermaid Beach man who allegedly helped coordinate communication was charged with four counts of fraud on August 4 and will appear before Southport Magistrates Court on September 18.

If you believe you are a victim of a scam, immediately notify your financial institution and then report the matter to ReportCyber.