With former Greens candidate Donna Nelson being sentenced to six years jail in Japan for importing 2kg of methamphetamine, the spotlight has turned to drug mules and romance scams.

Over $201 million was reported as lost to romance scammers last year and that’s just the tip of the iceberg according to Dating Coach & Founder of Aligned Connections, Karina Chapman.

Donna Nelson was duped by online romance scammer ‘Kelly’, by accepting a free holiday, and transporting a suitcase.

Karina tells Clinton, “Scammers build relationships over time with vulnerable people before asking them to send money or carry a package. This can result in victims stuck in international prisons for years for something they didn’t intentionally do.” 

Karina says five things you can do to keep yourself safe from international scammers are:
Insist on a video chat.
Meet in a neutral location. 
Listen to your gut. 
Never send money, and 5. Never agree to carry anything that’s not yours.  

With former Greens candidate Donna Nelson being sentenced to six years jail in Japan for importing 2kg of methamphetamine, the spotlight has turned to drug mules and romance scams.
Over $201 million was reported as lost to romance scammers last year and that&rsquo;s just the tip of the iceberg according to Dating Coach &amp; Founder of Aligned Connections, Karina Chapman.
Donna Nelson was duped by online romance scammer &lsquo;Kelly&rsquo;, by accepting a free holiday, and transporting a suitcase.
Karina tells Clinton, &ldquo;Scammers build relationships over time with vulnerable people before asking them to send money or carry a package. This can result in victims stuck in international prisons for years for something they didn&rsquo;t intentionally do.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Karina says five things you can do to keep yourself safe from international scammers are:
<ol>
<li>Insist on a video chat.</li>
<li>Meet in a neutral location.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Listen to your gut.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Never send money, and 5. Never agree to carry anything that&rsquo;s not yours.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ol>

Australia Overnight with Mike Jeffreys, 12am – 4am weekdays.

Wake Up Australia, 4am - 9:30am weekdays.

Australia Overnight with Mike Jeffreys, 12am – 4am weekdays.
Wake Up Australia, 4am - 9:30am weekdays.

Australia Overnight with Clinton Maynard

Australia Overnight with Clinton Maynard - Highlights

From love to lies: How romance scams turn victims into drug mules

Listen to the full show podcast - Tuesday - 17th December

Listen to the full show podcast - Tuesday - 17th December

Wake Up with Mike Jeffreys - Tuesday - 17th  December

The Coalition’s nuclear modelling has sparked fresh discussions about its cost-
effectiveness compared to renewables.

While economic projections are part of the conversation, Monash expert Professor
Mahmoud Mostafavi explains to Mike that energy security and sovereignty should take priority.

“Energy security, not cost alone, makes the case for nuclear power. Would anyone
suggest dismantling a nation’s military simply because it’s a costly safe guard? The
same logic applies to energy,” says Professor Mostafavi

“As we have all seen in Europe, the true value lies not just in cost, but protection of
our sovereignty and ensuring energy security, which can hardly be achieved without
a reliable energy mix. Look at Germany - energy security challenges have clearly
shown the risks of relying too heavily on a single strategy.”

"Both economic models rely on shaky assumptions - like future interest rates - that
are little more than educated guesses. Regardless of where you stand politically, a
reliable energy mix is essential - and nuclear plays a vital role alongside renewables
in achieving it."

The Coalition&rsquo;s nuclear modelling has sparked fresh discussions about its cost- effectiveness compared to renewables.
While economic projections are part of the conversation, Monash expert Professor Mahmoud Mostafavi explains to Mike that energy security and sovereignty should take priority.
&ldquo;Energy security, not cost alone, makes the case for nuclear power. Would anyone suggest dismantling a nation&rsquo;s military simply because it&rsquo;s a costly safe guard? The same logic applies to energy,&rdquo; says Professor Mostafavi
&ldquo;As we have all seen in Europe, the true value lies not just in cost, but protection of our sovereignty and ensuring energy security, which can hardly be achieved without a reliable energy mix. Look at Germany - energy security challenges have clearly shown the risks of relying too heavily on a single strategy.&rdquo;
"Both economic models rely on shaky assumptions - like future interest rates - that are little more than educated guesses. Regardless of where you stand politically, a reliable energy mix is essential - and nuclear plays a vital role alongside renewables in achieving it."

Nuclear vs Renewables: Energy security takes center stage in Coalition cost debate

According to insurance company NRMA, December is the month when most home
burglaries and thefts occur.

Given we’re more likely to take holidays over the festive season, and leave our
homes unattended, it can be rich pickings for burglars and thieves if we don’t take
some precautions.

While 40% of break-ins are via forced entry through a door or window, amazingly,
around 32% are committed via an unlocked door or window.

Mike is joined by Gina Field, Security Expert & Founder of Nepean Regional Security, who outlines five simple tips that can greatly reduce the risk
of you being targeted by thieves while you’re away.

1. Don’t leave spare keys in an outside hiding spot - it’s not worth the risk.
2. Lock all windows and doors, and triple check they’re locked!
3. Have a neighbour keep an eye on things.
4. Keep valuables and car keys out of sight.
5. Invest in movement-activated sensor lights to deter thieves.

According to insurance company NRMA, December is the month when most home burglaries and thefts occur.
Given we&rsquo;re more likely to take holidays over the festive season, and leave our homes unattended, it can be rich pickings for burglars and thieves if we don&rsquo;t take some precautions.
While 40% of break-ins are via forced entry through a door or window, amazingly, around 32% are committed via an unlocked door or window.
Mike is joined by Gina Field, Security Expert &amp; Founder of Nepean Regional Security, who outlines five simple tips that can greatly reduce the risk of you being targeted by thieves while you&rsquo;re away.
1. Don&rsquo;t leave spare keys in an outside hiding spot - it&rsquo;s not worth the risk. 2. Lock all windows and doors, and triple check they&rsquo;re locked! 3. Have a neighbour keep an eye on things. 4. Keep valuables and car keys out of sight. 5. Invest in movement-activated sensor lights to deter thieves.

From love to lies: How romance scams turn victims into drug mules

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