Online Scams in Wellington

Romance and Financial Advance Fee Scams

The US State Department specifically flags internet romance and advance-fee financial scams as prevalent risks for visitors and residents in New Zealand. Scammers typically pose as US citizens abroad who are stranded, romantically interested, or seeking investment partners, initiating contact through dating platforms, social media, or unsolicited email. Once trust is established, requests for money transfers follow — often framed as emergencies, business opportunities, or travel costs to visit the target.