Canberra, Feb 13 (IANS): Australians looking for love and romance lost at least $1.2 million to online scammers last year, a media report said Friday.

An Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) official said 68 people from the capital city of Canberra reported falling victim to the online romance scammers in 2014, ABC reported.

Between those scammed, a total of $1,182,520 was reported lost. The problem went largely unreported, the official said.

The figures were down from 2013, but these kind of scams were still a significant issue in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

"In 2013, people reported to the ACCC about $1.6 million lost to romance scams," the official said.

According to the official, online romance scammers commonly operate through dating sites and social media, follow a very distinct pattern of behaviour and is usually based overseas.

Once the scammer had established a strong emotional bond with their victim, they ask for money.

The request is usually related to a medical emergency, a business opportunity or money for airfares to come and visit the victim.