South Australians have lost millions to online cons so far this year. With new AI-driven scams on the rise, here’s what to look out for – and how to protect yourself.
It’s Scams Awareness Week, which means it’s time for a reminder that the internet is still a wild place where people are trying to steal your money, your photos, and your dignity.
This year, South Australia Police (SAPOL) have crunched the numbers on what’s costing us the most.
The shopping trap that’s costing millions
Let’s start with the expensive stuff. Australians have already lost more than $18.4 million to online shopping scams this year, with South Australians contributing more than $556,000 to that depressing total.
And no, it’s not just your tech-challenged relatives getting duped by dodgy eBay listings. Younger South Australians are still losing serious cash to online shopping scams – which puts you firmly in their crosshairs.
“While you’re on the hunt for a good deal, be aware that scammers are on the hunt for their next victim,” says SAPOL Detective Chief Inspector Brett Featherby.
The new red flags to watch for:
- Requests to pay in cryptocurrency or gift cards (because nothing says “trustworthy business” like asking for payment in Dogecoin)
- Websites that look suspiciously like real brands but offer massive discounts
- “Email spoofing” – where scammers make emails look like they’re from legit companies
The most expensive cons? Cars, caravans, tractors and “high-value pets.” So if someone’s selling you a designer puppy for crypto, maybe think twice.
The sex scam that’s getting scarier
Now for the really uncomfortable part. Sextortion – where scammers threaten to share intimate images unless you pay up – has taken a sinister turn thanks to artificial intelligence.
“Scammers are now employing AI to create ‘deepfake’ images by superimposing a victim’s face onto another body,” DCI Featherby explains.
Translation: they don’t even need you to send a nude anymore. They can just steal your Instagram photos and create fake intimate images that look convincingly real.
The numbers are grim. In SA, 284 people reported online image abuse last financial year, losing over $101,000 combined. Most victims are still male and under 18, which means if you have younger siblings, cousins, or friends, this is something you need to talk about.
How the scam works now:
- Attractive stranger slides into your DMs
- Conversation moves to a different app “for privacy”
- They send intimate images first to seem “genuine”
- They create or request intimate content
- Blackmail begins, often with AI-generated images as “proof”
What to do if this happens to you:
It might feel like the end of the world, but it’s not – and it’s definitely not your fault. Your loved ones will understand. SAPOL won’t judge you. The shame belongs to the scammer, not you.
- Don’t pay anything – it usually doesn’t stop the demands
- Don’t panic – you’re the victim, not the criminal
- Screenshot everything as evidence
- Report it immediately to cyber.gov.au/report or your local police station
- If you’re under 18, contact the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation
- Talk to someone you trust – family, friends, or call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
The state government is fighting back. New laws passed in May mean creating AI-generated deepfake intimate images can now land offenders in jail for up to four years or hit them with $20,000 fines. It’s a serious crime with serious consequences.
The love scam that’s breaking hearts and bank accounts
Romance scams might sound like something that only happens to lonely hearts in cheesy movies, but they’ve cost Australians $12 million this year alone – with South Australians losing over $1 million to fake lovers.
Julie’s nightmare started six months ago. She thought she’d found her soulmate on a dating app. They had everything in common and were planning to buy a house together when he flew from the US to Adelaide. Then the “emergencies” started.
First, he fell ill and needed $5000 for hospital bills. Then surgery required more money. Once he was better, visa issues meant another $5000 to get him to Perth. Then – surprise – he fell ill again in Perth, needing more surgery funds.
By the time Julie’s daughter intervened, she was $30,000 poorer and emotionally devastated.
“Romance scammers are criminals who fabricate a fairytale romantic connection with the intention to persuade or pressure someone into sending money,” says SAPOL’s Sergeant David Mitchell.
The new red flags everyone needs to know:
- They’re quick to fall in love (or you develop a fast, close friendship)
- Their webcam is always “broken”
- They promise to meet but there’s always an excuse to postpone
- They tell you exactly what to say to bank staff when transferring money
- They send small gifts to “prove” they’re genuine
- They ask you to keep the relationship secret
While women over 55 suffer the biggest individual losses, this scam affects all ages. Check on your divorced mum, sure, but also warn your friends who are dating online. The emotional manipulation tactics work on anyone looking for connection.
Remember: if someone you’ve never met asks for money, that’s not love – that’s a scammer.
The other scams hitting families
Investment tricks: Check on your grandparents if they’re getting financial advice from social media ads featuring celebrities. Those “guaranteed returns” backed by famous faces are often AI-generated deepfakes designed to steal life savings.
Tech support lies: Make sure your older relatives also know that real companies or government departments never call randomly asking for remote access to their computers. Over $2.4 million has been lost to these assistance scams nationally this year.
How to stay safe (without becoming a hermit)
For shopping:
- Stick to secure payment methods with buyer protection
- Use ABN Lookup to check companies are real
- If it’s too good to be true, it probably is
For everything else:
- Never send intimate images to people you haven’t met in person
- Don’t trust social media ads for investments or major purchases
- Make sure your privacy settings are locked down
- Trust your instincts – if something feels off, it probably is
If you get scammed:
- Contact your bank immediately
- Report it at cyber.gov.au/report or your local police station
- Don’t be embarrassed – it happens to people of all ages
The internet gave us online shopping, dating apps, and the ability to connect with people worldwide. Unfortunately, it also gave scammers new ways to exploit those exact same things.
Stay smart, stay sceptical, and maybe check on your family members while you’re at it.
For more information about scams and how to report them, visit cyber.gov.au.
