Date of Event:
20 February 2026
Event:
GASA Meet-Up
Romance scams are one of the most emotionally destructive forms of fraud, causing not only financial loss but long-term psychological harm. In Guard Your Heart , GASA Asia-Pacific convened experts to examine how romance scams operate, why their impact extends beyond money, and what coordinated action is required to prevent and disrupt them.
Hosted by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) Asia-Pacific, the session focused on practical disruption, responsible platform safeguards, and trauma-informed recovery. The discussion reinforced that romance scams sit at the intersection of technology, finance, platforms, and mental health, requiring cross-sector collaboration rather than isolated responses.
Speakers
Adinova Fauri , Researcher – Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Indonesia
Jayde Richmond , General Manager – National Anti-Scam Centre, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
Dr Kate Gould , Clinical Neuropsychologist & Senior Research Fellow – Monash University
Kenna Seagris t, Sr. Manager, Trust & Safety Operations – Match Group
Brian Hanley , Director, Asia Pacific – Global Anti-Scam Alliance (Moderator)
Speakers outlined how romance scams typically begin on dating or social platforms before quickly moving to private messaging channels. Scammers escalate emotional intensity, build dependency, and eventually request funds under the guise of emergencies, travel expenses, or investment opportunities. Increasingly, criminal networks are deploying AI-generated identities and sophisticated payment channels, including cryptocurrency, to enhance credibility and scale operations.
The discussion highlighted that vulnerability is not confined to one demographic group. Younger dating app users, older individuals, and highly educated professionals are all targeted. From an operational standpoint, Australia’s Romance Scam Fusion Cell demonstrated how banks, cryptocurrency exchanges, law enforcement, and platforms can share de-identified risk signals to interrupt financial flows and disrupt scam networks.
Speakers also emphasised the importance of stigma reduction, frontline response guidance, and trauma-informed care to support victims who often experience shame, isolation, and long-term psychological harm.
The meet-up concluded with a clear call for stronger public–private partnerships, responsible AI deployment, cross-border cooperation, and victim-centred recovery frameworks to address the growing complexity of romance scams.
Watch the full discussion below to learn how Asia-Pacific leaders are strengthening their defences against romance scams.
GASA and Google Trust & Safety Workshop Sets Priorities for Anti-Scam Cooperation Across Africa
GASA Africa Chapter and Google South Africa brought anti-fraud leaders together to strengthen cross-border cooperation and scam prevention.
Allstate Identity Protection Joins the Global Anti-Scam Alliance to Strengthen the Fight Against Scams and Identity Theft
Allstate Identity Protection has joined the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) as a Corporate Member within the North America Chapter.
GASA and Whoscall Release 2026 Asia Scam Report – Taiwan
The 2026 Asia Scam Report – Taiwan, provides an in-depth look at scam exposure, channels, victim experiences, and scam awareness among people in Taiwan.
BanCoppel joins the Global Anti-Scam Alliance to bolster fraud prevention and safeguard individuals entering the banking system.
BanCoppel has joined the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) as a Corporate Member of the GASA Mexico Chapter.
The emotions scammers exploit: how social engineering influences our decisions
How scammers use fear, urgency, excitement and trust to influence decisions, and how recognising these tactics can help people prevent fraud.
Global Anti-Scam Alliance Welcomes Mastercard as Founding Member of Its Mexico Chapter
The Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) announces the membership of Mastercard as a Member of its Mexico Chapter.
What Uganda’s IVR Trial Shows About Practice-Based Scam Prevention
A Uganda IVR trial shows how practice-based fraud prevention helped mobile money users reduce losses and increase reporting.
FTC’s Never EVER Campaign Helps Prevent Elder Financial Abuse With Simple, Specific Scam Warnings
The FTC’s Never EVER campaign uses simple, specific imposter scam warnings to help prevent elder financial abuse and support coordinated consumer education.