Romance scams
What 5 best scientific papers say about this menace
In online fraud, romance scams are a poignant reminder of the inherent dangers concealed inside the digital interface. The prevalence of these fraudulent activities, which involve persons adopting deceptive personas and using emotions to obtain monetary benefits illicitly, has become a widespread concern, affecting numerous individuals globally. Individuals who fall victim to romance scams experience significant financial damage and tremendous psychological anguish.
This review thoroughly investigates the current literature on romantic scams, emphasising many crucial aspects. Our investigation involves an examination of the frequency of romance scams, the sophisticated strategies and techniques adopted by criminals, the complex network of psychological and financial consequences experienced by victims, and the proactive steps and interventions implemented to mitigate these fraudulent activities.
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To effectively navigate the complex terrain, we have diligently assembled a collection of five scholarly articles, each presenting distinct viewpoints and valuable contributions to the subject of discussion. These publications have been selected based on their pertinence, comprehensive examination, and impact on our overarching investigation objectives. We shall combine these chosen sources’ principal findings and understandings in the subsequent sections.
- Do you love me? Psychological Characteristics of Romance Scam Victims: The present study investigates the psychological traits of individuals who become targets of romance scams. The study may be accessed using the following DOI link: https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2016.0729. This study provides significant insights into the emotional vulnerabilities that scammers manipulate, illuminating the psychological complexities associated with this occurrence.
- The Use of Military Profiles in Romance Fraud Schemes: This intellectual article delves into the deceitful employment of military profiles in romance fraud schemes. It can be accessed using the provided DOI link (https://doi.org/10.1080/15564886.2020.1850582). This study reveals the strategies used by fraudulent individuals impersonating military officers, enhancing comprehension of the methodologies applied in these deceptive schemes.
- Investigating Fear of Crime for Romance Fraud Victims: This article looks at the fear of crime experienced by those who fall victim to romance fraud. The research report may be accessed using the provided DOI link (https://doi.org/10.1080/15564886.2021.2018080). This study explores the emotional ramifications and psychological effects experienced by those whom these fraudulent scams have ensnared.
- What is the current state of knowledge regarding studies on online romance fraud? This study comprehensively analysed the existing empirical literature from 2000 to 2021, employing a systematic review methodology. The primary objective of this research was to examine and synthesise previous studies’ findings to gain a comprehensive understanding of the topic at hand. This review comprehensively analyses the empirical literature on online romance fraud over two decades. The review may be accessed at the following DOI link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeconc.2023.100013. This study provides a comprehensive outlook on the progression of research within this particular discipline.
- Recent Trends in Social Engineering Scams and Case Study of Gift Card Scams: This study explores current patterns in social engineering scams, specifically focusing on a case study involving the gift card scam. This work investigates recent trends in social engineering scams; however, it does not explicitly concentrate on romantic scams. It may be accessed on arXiv. This analysis can provide valuable insights into the broader scope of fraudulent activities and their dynamic strategies.
Throughout this investigation, we will thoroughly examine each of the chosen studies, extracting significant insights to develop a holistic narrative about romantic frauds. Through a comprehensive analysis of these many viewpoints, we aim to offer an in-depth understanding of this prevalent digital menace, enabling individuals and entities to enhance their ability to safeguard themselves against the dangers of romance scams.
Do you love me? Psychological Characteristics of Romance Scam Victims
The background information offers a comprehensive understanding of romance scams, a mass-marketing fraud that leverages online dating platforms and social networking sites to deceive victims into monetary losses. The fraudulent activities encompass the creation of counterfeit profiles by criminals who establish virtual connections with individuals, aiming to cultivate confidence and manipulate them into transferring funds. The perpetuation of scams frequently leads to the dual consequences of monetary detriment and the erosion of interpersonal connections, inflicting profound emotional distress upon the victims.
Existing literature indicates that several attributes could make people more susceptible to romantic fraud. The factors encompassed in this list consist of middle age, feminine gender, lesser educational attainment, limited understanding of cybersecurity, impulsive tendencies, external locus of control, trusting disposition towards people, self-perception of trustworthiness, kindness, and avarice. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that not all of the characteristics mentioned above have empirical support. Consequently, additional inquiry is necessary to comprehend the various aspects underlying susceptibility.
The results of this study are significant for developing and implementing strategies aimed at preventing and intervening in relevant issues. To enhance understanding of romance scams and mitigate susceptibility, it is advisable to implement targeted awareness campaigns and educational initiatives focusing on middle-aged people. Furthermore, programmes can be devised to mitigate impulsivity and addictive propensities, heightening people’s vulnerability to falling victim to fraudulent schemes. Further investigation is necessary to enhance comprehension of romance scams’ prevalence, methodologies, and ramifications and formulate efficacious preventative measures and treatments.
The acquisition of background knowledge offers valuable insights into the prevalence of romance scams, the many strategies employed in perpetrating them, and the psychological and financial consequences experienced by victims. Additionally, the topic of preventive measures and interventions is addressed.
Due primarily to the rapid advancements in communication technologies, romance fraud has become a widespread problem worldwide. These individuals engage in deceptive behaviour by feigning the initiation of a romantic connection with the ulterior motive of deceiving their targets. Fraudulent activities encompass a broad spectrum of illicit actions, including the direct transfer of funds, the acquisition of personal identification credentials, and the utilisation of money laundering techniques. Romance scams have garnered significant attention in light of the adverse emotional and financial consequences they inflict on their victims.
Romance fraud is recognised in the literature as a discrete category of fraudulent activity, albeit one that might be conceptualised as a variant of advance fee fraud (AFF). Advance fee fraud (AFF) schemes entail manipulating unsuspecting individuals, compelling them to transfer funds under the false pretence of a greater financial return. In contrast, romance fraud schemes employ the pretence of an authentic romantic relationship to perpetrate fraudulent activities against unsuspecting victims. In romantic fraud schemes, it is not uncommon for perpetrators to assume military identities, thereby masquerading as military members to victimise unsuspecting individuals.
Romance fraud is prevalent since victims consistently report significant monetary damages. Research has indicated that individuals engaged in romance fraud adopt strategies to establish confidence with their victims, including utilising authoritative language and skillfully blending factual and fictional elements within their storylines. Frequently, vulnerable people are the primary focus of their attention, as they exploit their emotional states for personal gain.
Romance fraud can have significant psychological and financial consequences for individuals who fall victim to it. Victims frequently encounter a severe sense of personal deprivation and betrayal. The psychological distress resulting from the dissolution of a relationship can present more challenges in terms of adaptation than mere monetary repercussions. Individuals who have experienced victimisation may exhibit symptoms consistent with mental health conditions such as sadness, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Various preventive measures and interventions have been extensively examined and used to effectively mitigate the occurrence and impact of romance scams. These methods include increasing awareness among possible targets, delivering educational initiatives to identify and evade fraudulent schemes, and enhancing internet security protocols. Law enforcement authorities and organisations have also devised many tools and initiatives to enlighten the general public about romance scams and assist those who have fallen victim to such fraudulent activities.
In summary, romance scams represent a widespread manifestation of fraudulent activity that can result in profound psychological and financial repercussions for those targeted. Criminals employ several strategies, such as assuming military personas, to manipulate and mislead their targets. Various preventive actions and interventions are being implemented to increase awareness and safeguard potential victims.
The Utilisation of Military Profiles in Romance Fraud Schemes
A scholarly article has investigated the utilisation of military profiles and storylines within the context of romance fraud tactics. The study revealed that romance fraud has a widespread impact on many individuals worldwide, leading to substantial economic and non-economic consequences. The deliberate utilisation of military identities and storylines by perpetrators in the context of romance scams serves as a strategic approach to specifically target individuals and elicit monetary contributions from them.
The study revealed two primary methodologies via which perpetrators utilise military identities and narratives. In such instances, perpetrators employ a military persona to create an initial rapport with the target yet refrain from incorporating this persona into their overarching narrative or rationale for financial gain. Sometimes, the solicitations for funds may centre around consignments, inheritances, personal health crises, criminal justice difficulties, or familial necessities.
In certain instances, perpetrators wholeheartedly adopt the military story and employ it as the primary foundation for their financial assistance solicitation. Frequently, individuals seek financial aid for military leave and essential resources encompassing sustenance, medication, communication, and measures to ensure personal safety. Offenders contend that the security protocols associated with military service impose limitations on their ability to access personal bank accounts and financial resources, hence necessitating the acquisition of money from the victim.
The study also discovered that limited relevant victim traits can be used to predict the response to military programmes. Although women are more likely to respond to such schemes, gender is not a substantial indicator of economic loss. The factors that hold greater significance in determining victimisation and economic loss are the loss of banking details and the financial distress status.
The research article asserts that using military identities and narratives within romance scams does not constitute an independent classification of fraudulent activity. Instead, perpetrators use a deliberate tactic to target their victims specifically. The study proposes that preventative strategies should prioritise the reduction of victims’ propensity to respond to fraudulent solicitations. Technology interventions can help reduce victims’ exposure to early communications from criminals. Additionally, it underscores the significance of fostering scepticism and cultivating critical thinking skills in utilising online dating websites and social media platforms. Furthermore, it continually advocates for disseminating the message discouraging the act of transferring monetary funds in response to online solicitations.
Exploring Fear of Crime for Those Targeted by Romance Fraud
This study looks into the fear of crime experienced by those who fall victim to romance fraud.
The background information offers a comprehensive understanding of romance fraud, encompassing its frequency and the strategies employed by perpetrators. This statement underscores the nature of romance fraud as a form of financially motivated criminal activity wherein individuals are deceived through the establishment of relationships that they believe to be authentic. Perpetrators employ several strategies of deceit, grooming, and psychological manipulation to cultivate trust and control their victims.
The victims experience substantial financial losses, with an annual recorded loss of millions of dollars. The paper also addresses the psychological and non-financial consequences experienced by victims, such as emotional suffering, alterations in behaviour, and heightened apprehension towards potential future victimisation.
This study focuses specifically on the terror that these victims experience as it examines the psychological effects of crime on those who have fallen victim to romance fraud. The analysis includes an examination of reported instances of threats and intimidation encountered by victims. The dread extends beyond the internet and might show concerns for physical safety, reputational loss, and identity theft.
In response to their victimisation, individuals may engage in preventative actions, such as terminating credit card accounts, modifying personal details, or relocating residences. The apprehension towards criminal activities extends beyond the particular victim, as specific individuals exhibit concerns for the well-being of their family members or other possible targets. The existing literature also recognises the constraints of the data and the necessity for additional investigation in comprehending the fear of crime within the realm of romantic fraud.
The background information provided does not immediately pertain to the request to thoroughly examine the current body of literature on romantic frauds. The text discusses the fear of crime among individuals who have fallen victim to romance fraud, highlighting the necessity of supporting these victims. However, a thorough examination of the prevalence of romance scams, the numerous tactics used by scammers, and the psychological and financial effects on those who fall victim to such scams is lacking. Hence, it is imperative to conduct more literature reviews to meet the request’s requirements.
What is the current state of knowledge regarding studies on online romance fraud?
This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the empirical literature from 2000 to 2021, employing a systematic review approach. Online romance fraud has increased with the proliferation of online dating platforms. In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the financial losses experienced by those who have fallen victim to romance scams. Based on data provided by the US Federal Trade Commission, the financial losses incurred by romance scams in 2021 reached $547 million, indicating a substantial rise of about 80% compared to the preceding year. Nevertheless, the existing study on online romance fraud remains somewhat constrained, resulting in a dearth of complete comprehension regarding this fraudulent activity.
Online romance fraud is deliberately fabricating fictitious romantic partnerships to obtain financial benefits. Perpetrators employ several strategies to influence and deceive their targets. The techniques encompassed in this context involve the utilisation of fabricated profiles, the establishment of rapport and trust, exploiting victims’ emotions and needs, and implementing tactics such as urgency or scarcity, authority or credibility, fear or intimidation, and phishing.
Individuals who fall prey to online romance fraud can endure substantial psychological and financial repercussions. Individuals may experience emotional anguish, a decline in trust, and feelings of humiliation and embarrassment. From a financial perspective, those victimised may experience significant monetary losses, resulting in financial difficulties and potentially even bankruptcy in certain instances. The adverse effects of online romance fraud disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, such as seniors, widows, widowers, and divorced people.
To mitigate and address instances of online romance fraud, it is imperative to enhance the knowledge and understanding of potential victims regarding the strategies employed by perpetrators and the indicators that may signal fraudulent activity. Implementing educational initiatives and public awareness campaigns can be crucial in enhancing individuals’ ability to identify the indicators of a romance scam and mitigate the risk of becoming a victim. Furthermore, law enforcement authorities and online dating platforms must adopt strategies aimed at identifying and mitigating instances of online romance fraud. These strategies include enhancing identity verification protocols and bolstering security measures.
In summary, online romance fraud is a pervasive and financially advantageous type of fraudulent activity that exerts notable psychological and financial repercussions on its victims. Preventive measures and interventions prioritise enhancing public consciousness, implementing security protocols, and enhancing law enforcement endeavours to identify and bring to justice individuals who engage in illicit activities. Additional investigation is necessary to enhance our comprehension of online romance fraud and formulate more efficacious approaches to prevent and alleviate its repercussions.
Recent Trends in Social Engineering Scams and Case Study of Gift Card Scams
The present study focuses on the emerging patterns observed in social engineering scams, emphasising the gift card case study. The background information furnishes a comprehensive account of social engineering frauds, encompassing their frequency and the methodologies employed. The text highlights that social engineering assaults are executed to manipulate individuals through human persuasion rather than exploit technological vulnerabilities. This study examines a range of fraudulent activities, including Nigerian check scams, romance scams, technical assistance scams, and scams relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, this study sheds light on using technological tools like Google Ads, social media platforms, and fraudulent websites to execute their deceptive activities.
This study introduces an architecture for a threat model for social engineering scams. The proposed architecture encompasses several components, including the victim’s national communication network, international exchange gateways, scammer call centres, and data sources. This paper elucidates fraudsters’ methods to acquire personal information via several channels, including the dark web, online marketplaces, and social media platforms, intending to target unsuspecting individuals. The article additionally examines the methodologies employed by fraudulent individuals, including phishing emails, counterfeit websites, and telephone solicitations, intending to mislead unsuspecting individuals and misappropriate their financial resources.
The paper examines a particular case study about gift card scams, wherein scammers use social media or phone messaging platforms to approach victims and manipulate them into purchasing gift cards. Upon divulging the gift card numbers, the perpetrators promptly absconded, resulting in financial loss for the victims. The report additionally presents an overview of incident response strategies for effectively addressing gift card scams, encompassing several stages such as detection and analysis, containment, eradication, and recovery.
This study proposes potential avenues for addressing social engineering scams in the future, including strategies such as security awareness training and education, employing data analytics for scammer detection, implementing proactive scam information sharing, and establishing phone caller ID authentication mechanisms. This statement underscores the need to educate individuals against fraudulent activities, use advanced technologies to detect scams, and foster information sharing among relevant parties to mitigate the occurrence of scams. The report finishes by asserting that the research findings might be valuable for comprehending and mitigating the risks associated with social engineering fraud.
Conclusion
Romance scams encompass a form of mass-marketing fraud that strategically exploits the platforms of online dating sites and social networking sites to deceive victims and extort monetary resources from them. The fraudulent activities encompass the creation of counterfeit profiles by criminals, who establish virtual connections with unsuspecting individuals to cultivate trust and persuade them to transfer funds [1]. Romance fraud is notable since victims have reported considerable monetary damages [2]. According to data provided by the US Federal Trade Commission, the financial losses from romance scams in 2021 reached $547 million, indicating a substantial rise of about 80% compared to the preceding year [4].
Perpetrators employ several strategies to influence and deceive others who fall victim to their actions. The techniques encompassed in this context are creating fraudulent profiles, establishing rapport and trust, manipulating victims’ emotions and needs, and utilising tactics such as urgency or scarcity, authority or credibility, fear or intimidation, and phishing [4]. In certain instances, perpetrators employ a military persona to establish rapport with the target. However, they avoid incorporating this persona into their broader narrative or rationale for financial gain [2].
Individuals who fall prey to online romance fraud frequently endure substantial psychological and financial consequences. Individuals may experience emotional anguish, a decline in trust, and a sense of shame and embarrassment. Victims may experience significant financial losses, resulting in financial adversity and potentially leading to bankruptcy in specific instances [4]. T
The psychological distress resulting from the dissolution of a relationship can present more challenges regarding coping mechanisms than mere monetary repercussions. Individuals who have experienced victimisation may exhibit symptoms of sadness, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder [2]. This study examines the extent to which romantic fraud victims suffer from fear of crime, focusing on the many manifestations of threats and intimidation reported by these individuals. The apprehension transcends the digital realm and might materialise in apprehensions regarding personal safety, harm to one’s reputation, and the theft of one’s identity [3].
Various preventive measures and interventions have been extensively examined and implemented to combat romance fraud effectively. These strategies include increasing awareness among possible targets, delivering educational initiatives to identify and evade fraudulent schemes, and enhancing online security protocols. Law enforcement authorities and organisations have also devised several tools and initiatives to enlighten the general public about romance scams and assist individuals who have fallen victim to such fraudulent activities [2].
To mitigate and address instances of online romance fraud, it is imperative to enhance the knowledge and consciousness of possible victims regarding the strategies employed by perpetrators and the indicators that signal potential fraudulent activities. Education and public awareness initiatives can enhance individuals’ ability to identify the indicators of a romance scam and mitigate the risk of becoming a victim of such fraudulent activities. Furthermore, law enforcement authorities and online dating platforms must adopt strategies to identify and mitigate the risks associated with online romance fraud. These strategies may include enhancing identity verification protocols and bolstering security measures [4].
In summary, romance scams represent a widespread manifestation of fraudulent activities that can inflict severe psychological and financial repercussions on those targeted. Perpetrators employ many strategies, such as assuming military personas, to manipulate and mislead their targets. Various preventive actions and interventions are being implemented to increase awareness and safeguard potential victims. Additional investigation is required to enhance our comprehension of online romance fraud and formulate more efficacious approaches to prevent and alleviate its repercussions.
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References:
1. [Do You Love Me? [Psychological Characteristics of Romance Scam Victims.](https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2016.0729)
2. [The Use of Military Profiles in Romance Fraud Schemes](https://doi.org/10.1080/15564886.2020.1850582)
3. [Exploring Fear of Crime for Those Targeted by Romance Fraud] (https://doi.org/10.1080/15564886.2021.2018080)
4. What do we know about online romance fraud studies? A systematic review of the empirical literature (2000–2021) (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeconc.2023.100013)
