Too dear for lonely hearts

AUSTRALIANS looking for love online are being scammed millions of dollars in their quest for happily ever after.

Dating and romance scams cost Australians more than $24 million last year, ScamWatch data released yesterday reveals.

“These romance scammers deal in the art of lies and deception, cruelly misleading honest people searching for love and companionship,” Victoria’s Consumer Affairs Minister Marlene Kairouz said.

Experts advise not to share money or bank details with someone you haven’t met.