"WHY did this happen to me? How could I have trusted him? How could I have been so stupid?" It's not just money that is lost. Women who have been taken for a ride by Casanovas are also dealt a severe emotional blow.

Nazlina Ghani of Women's Aid Organisation said while they gave legal advice to these women, their emotional state was a bigger concern.

When a woman is dealt a double blow by being cheated in love and money, many feelings are stirred up, especially frustration and anger.

She said many women refused face-to-face counselling out of embarrassment and preferred to talk on the phone.

"But telephone counselling is limited. Without body language and eye contact, it is difficult to know what these women are facing.

"We tell them it is normal to feel the way they feel. Anger, hurt, betrayal and frustration can lead to lack of sleep and loss of appetite. And this is normal, too.

"But we tell them that there has to be a limit. It is okay to have those feelings, but it is important to know when to let go and move on."