WA getting savvy to scammers: govt

The number of West Australians falling victim to scams dropped dramatically last year according to the attorney general, with a 42 per cent decrease to overall losses.

Michael Mischin said romance and relationship fraud represented more than half of the $9.8 million lost to scams in 2015.

"Looking at the 2015 figures compared to previous years, it appears that people are now becoming more `scam smart' with fewer people falling victim and, in most categories, lesser amounts are being lost," Mr Mischin said.

A total of 456 West Australians fell victim to scammers in 2015, compared to 657 in 2014.