Withers’ Jeremy Pereira featured in Her World article "Ask The Expert: Is emotional cheating a love scam – and what can I do about it?"

Jeremy Pereira, disputes lawyer (special counsel) at Withers KhattarWong, was recently featured in Her World’s legal advice column, where he unpacked the blurred lines between emotional cheating and love scams; and when such deception might cross into legal territory.

Jeremy explained that while emotional cheating is not in itself a legal wrong, it can have serious consequences when financial fraud or misrepresentation is involved. He outlined how love scams often involve scammers using fake identities to deceive victims into transferring money or granting access to personal accounts, which could lead to unauthorised withdrawals or even money laundering.

"There can be legal recourse if financial fraud is involved, such as in cases where the victims have transferred monies or provided OTPs which led to the unauthorised withdrawal of monies from their personal accounts," Jeremy shared. 

"Victims in such cases should immediately file police reports, and also evaluate whether civil action for recovery of money is possible." 

Jeremy advised that while legal recourse is possible in more serious cases, recovering losses can be complex, especially when scammers operate across borders. “These proceedings tend to be very costly,” he cautioned, and often depended on the ability to trace the scammer’s identity and assets.

To protect yourself, Jeremy encouraged individuals to remain cautious about sharing money, personal details or intimate content with online acquaintances, especially when the other person’s identity cannot be verified. He also pointed readers to Singapore’s recently launched anti-scam hotline, ScamShield, as a resource for those in doubt.

Our team regularly advises clients on online scams, fraud, and reputational risks arising from digital deception. This includes assessing victim's legal remedies, navigating police investigations, and protecting against further harm. If you would like guidance on these issues, we encourage you to get in touch.

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