Sydney Mother Reports Financial Loss After Dating App Scam

A Sydney mother, Jaixi “Sissi” Wang, is warning others after losing AUD $30,000 to a man she met on the dating app Bumble [3]. Wang, who was 39 and newly single at the time, reported that the man she believed to be a romantic partner eventually persuaded her to invest in a project that resulted in the total loss of her funds [3].

Key takeaways

• Jaixi “Sissi” Wang lost AUD $30,000 after a man she met on Bumble convinced her to invest in a project [3].
• The man, a 50-year-old businessman, initially built trust by introducing Wang to his children and discussing future plans together [3].
• After three months, the man stopped meeting in person but maintained frequent digital contact while pressuring Wang for money [3].
• The incident is currently under police investigation as an example of potential “pig butchering” scams on dating platforms [3].

The progression of a financial scam

Wang, a mother of two, initially felt she had found a compatible partner in the 50-year-old businessman, who she described as respectful and generous [3]. The relationship appeared to progress quickly, with the man introducing Wang to his children and discussing the possibility of moving in together [3]. However, the dynamic shifted three months into the relationship when the man stopped arranging in-person dates, citing work and family commitments [3].

Despite the lack of physical meetings, the man remained highly active in digital communication, sending romantic messages and photos of his lifestyle to maintain the connection [3]. He eventually proposed an investment opportunity, promising a 33% return on her money [3]. Although Wang initially expressed hesitation about mixing finances with dating, the man insisted, framing the investment as a way for them to build a future together [3]. Wang ultimately transferred the funds in four installments, but she never recovered the money, and the man later provided messages from a purported financial institution claiming the transfer had failed [3].

Why it matters

The case has drawn attention to the risks of “pig butchering” schemes, where scammers exploit the emotional vulnerability of individuals on dating apps to solicit money under the guise of investment opportunities [3]. As dating apps like Bumble continue to evolve—recently introducing "Opening Moves" to allow men to initiate contact in some scenarios—users are increasingly cautioned to remain vigilant [1]. Wang’s experience serves as a public warning about the sophisticated methods scammers use to build trust, including the use of personal details like family members to appear legitimate [3]. The matter remains under police investigation [3].