A Melbourne woman in her 30s, identified as Jane to protect her identity, lost $646,035 to a romance scam that began on the dating app Hinge. The scammer, using the alias Joe, claimed to be a Fifo worker needing emergency funds. Jane, who has autism and a learning disability, transferred the money in 41 transactions to cryptocurrency platforms. Her bank, ING, refused a refund, and the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) sided with the bank.
How the scam unfolded
Jane matched with Joe on Hinge in May 2025. He quickly moved their conversation to WhatsApp. Messages seen by Guardian Australia show Joe manipulated Jane, who had never been in a relationship. He said, 'So I will be the first person you ever fall in love with.' He spoke of a future together, including marriage, children, and an overseas honeymoon. After gaining her trust, he requested money for work equipment, promising repayment with 50% interest.
Jane said, 'I thought that I could really trust him. He said, “I’m not the kind of bad person that would do this.”' Dr Kate Gould, a neuropsychologist at Monash University, explained that humans have a 'basic need' for love and connection, making them vulnerable to such scams.
Australia's anti-scam laws: gaps and delays
The Albanese government passed what it called the 'world’s toughest anti-scam laws,' but they will not take effect until 31 March 2027. Consumer advocates say the laws may not cover dating apps, even though they are a common vector for scams. The government has not confirmed which platforms will be included, only that banks, telcos, and 'key' digital platforms—social media, paid search advertising, and direct messaging—are in scope. A spokesperson for Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino said the government would 'not hesitate to bring additional sectors into scope where needed.'
Meg Dalling, a policy expert at the Consumer Action Law Centre (Calc), noted 'still some really significant gaps in the coverage of the laws.' Unlike the UK, where banks reimburse scam victims for larger sums, Australia's laws propose automatic reimbursements of up to $3,000, with a dispute resolution mechanism for larger amounts yet to be detailed. Costs would be split between banks, telcos, and digital platforms.
Bank and AFCA decisions
Jane opened an account with ING at Joe's direction and wired money in 41 transactions, some as large as $20,000, to two cryptocurrency trading platforms known for scam activity. Her lawyers argue ING had opportunities to detect and intervene. ING declined to comment on the case but said it was 'optimistic' the new framework would improve coordination. AFCA acknowledged Jane's 'devastating financial and personal loss' but ruled the bank was not on notice of the scam and processed transactions as instructed. Jane's lawyers contend AFCA ignored ING's duty of care.
AFCA stated it can only assess complaints against current laws, which were 'not designed with the sophistication of modern scams in mind.'
Dating app responsibility
Hinge's parent company, Match Group, said it invests in technologies to protect users. In March 2025, Hinge launched 'Face Check' verification in Australia to confirm users are real. However, Dr Gould noted that dating platforms face a difficult task vetting users, but society should expect them to ensure users are not criminals.
In the past 18 months, Australians reported 4,767 romance scams, losing over $37 million. Jane's case highlights the emotional and financial toll. Joe's last message claimed he was going to prison over a lost contract. He never responded again.
