Police in New Zealand are investigating a major suspected romance scam after a Dunedin woman came forward believing she may have lost nearly $800,000 to an online fraudster posing as a retired four-star American general.
According to a local report, the alleged scam unfolded over approximately five years and involved repeated transfers of money, gift vouchers, cryptocurrency, and other financial payments to a man the victim met online.
The case was revealed after the woman visited a police station in Dunedin seeking advice regarding documents she had received from the individual.
Fake military identity used
New Zealand Police Sergeant Matthew Lee stated that investigators believe the suspect falsely claimed to be a retired U.S. military general as part of the long-running scam.
“The arrangement had allegedly been going on for about five years, and she thought she could have potentially sent around $800,000,” Lee said. “She initially didn’t want to accept the fact that she’s been scammed, but later told police it’s been ongoing for five years.”
A particularly striking element of the manipulation: the woman showed police photographs that appeared to depict the “general” with a South Island mayor at a South Island hospital. Police determined the images had been either digitally altered or AI-generated. The court-release document she had received also did not appear legitimate.
Police said investigations into the matter remain ongoing.
Cryptocurrency and gift cards used in payments
According to investigators, the woman allegedly sent money through direct bank transfers, cryptocurrency payments, gift vouchers, and several other financial transactions over multiple years.
Law enforcement agencies globally have increasingly warned that romance scams are evolving to include crypto payments, as digital asset transfers are difficult to reverse and can be transferred across borders quickly.
The case highlights the growing overlap between emotional manipulation scams and cryptocurrency-related fraud.
Online financial requests
Authorities are now urging the public to remain cautious when interacting with unknown individuals online, especially when conversations begin involving money or financial emergencies.
“Any time someone asks you online for cash or something of monetary value, it should raise a red flag,” Lee warned.
Police encourage individuals to seek advice from trusted friends or family members before sending money or digital assets to online contacts they have never met in person.
Officials also advised the public to be cautious of unsolicited emails and calls, verify identities carefully, avoid clicking suspicious links, double-check email addresses and documents also remain skeptical of urgent financial requests
Romance scams continue rising globally
Previously, in 2024, Nigerian authorities arrested nearly 800 suspects linked to crypto romance scams during a large-scale raid in Lagos. Investigators stated the building targeted in the operation was allegedly being used as a hub for organised online fraud and digital asset-related scam activity.
Online romance scams have become one of the fastest-growing forms of cyber-enabled financial crime worldwide, with fraudsters increasingly using fake military identities, celebrity impersonations, AI-generated images, and cryptocurrency payment methods to target victims.
The case adds to growing international concerns surrounding social engineering scams, crypto fraud, and identity manipulation across digital platforms.
Also read: Fake TronLink Extension Targets TRON Users in Phishing Scam
