TL;DR: YourLifeChoices reported on July 13, 2026, citing 7NEWS, that Lyle Lambie, an 80-year-old grandfather from Perth, lost up to $300,000 over three years to a woman he met on Facebook. Requests came through prepaid gift cards, plus airfares and passports. His home of more than 20 years was repossessed by the bank and his savings are gone.
What happened
YourLifeChoices, citing a 7NEWS report, says Lyle Lambie, an 80-year-old grandfather from Perth, was looking for companionship when he connected with a woman on Facebook. “She was saying she's madly in love with me and everything,” he said. She seemed genuine.
Three years of requests
- Affectionate messages turned into requests for money, claiming hospital emergencies and a series of crises.
- Requests were always made through prepaid gift cards. He also paid for airfares from the US to Australia and for passports.
- Over three years he lost up to $300,000. “It was just never-ending,” he said.
What it cost him
His home of more than 20 years was repossessed by the bank and his savings are gone. “We lost everything,” he said. “They're out to get everything out of you.”
The numbers
The article says romance scam losses reported to Scamwatch in 2025 exceeded $28.6 million, up 21.8%. In Western Australia, 63 people reported romance scam losses in 2025, up from 55 in 2024, with losses over $3.8 million; read our WA romance scam figures. People aged 65 and over had the highest losses, at $8.8 million, and contact through social media, dating platforms and forums accounted for over 80% of losses, with Facebook and Instagram the most common channels.
Consumer Protection's John McMaster noted that scammers rely on secrecy. The best defence is to talk to someone you trust before sending anything.
Red flags
- Any “partner” who asks for gift cards. No real hospital, airline or passport office takes them. See our gift card scam statistics.
- Endless emergencies with no meeting ever happening.
- Paying for someone's flights or passport.
- Pressure to keep the relationship secret.
Report to Scamwatch and call IDCARE on 1800 595 160. If a parent is lonely and online, our guide to protecting elderly parents can help, and our free email exposure check shows what scammers can see.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Lyle Lambie lose?
Up to $300,000 over three years, according to YourLifeChoices citing 7NEWS.
How was he paid?
Requests were always made through prepaid gift cards. He also paid for airfares and passports.
What happened to his home?
His home of more than 20 years was repossessed by the bank.
How many West Australians reported romance scam losses in 2025?
63, up from 55 in 2024, with losses over $3.8 million.
Sources
- YourLifeChoices: A grandfather loses home and life savings to a cruel romance scam (Jul 13, 2026), citing 7NEWS
- Scamwatch (National Anti-Scam Centre)