Romance Fraud: Its Repercussions on Victims’ Wellbeing

Gauci, Christine ; Vella, Mary Grace (2025) — Women & Criminal Justice

AI-Generated Synopsis

Romance fraud refers to deceitful manipulation in which a perpetrator uses a fabricated romantic persona to induce trust and financial or other gain from an unsuspecting partner. The phenomenon unfolds across online dating platforms, social media, and blended spaces where personal information is accessible. Typical patterns involve feigned identities, rapid emotional escalation, and requests for secrecy or help with imagined emergencies. The entry situates romance fraud within broader patterns of financial crime and interpersonal deception, emphasizing its relational dynamics and the role of trust in online environments. Victims’ wellbeing is affected across multiple domains, including emotional stability, financial security, social connections, and perceived safety. Emotional distress, stigma, and withdrawal from social networks may accompany financial loss, reputational concerns, and ongoing concerns about trust. The wellbeing trajectory can be shaped by access to support, prompt reporting, and the responsiveness of institutions. The discussion notes gendered considerations, acknowledging that women are highlighted in many contexts of romance fraud and that experiences of harm interact with broader social expectations, care obligations, and vulnerabilities within relationships and communities. From a criminal justice perspective, the entry outlines the roles of law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and victim-support services in addressing romance fraud. It considers investigative challenges such as evidence collection, cross-jurisdictional issues, and the verification of victim reporting, as well as the pathways through which harmed individuals access remedies and relief. The catalog-style overview highlights policy-relevant topics including prevention, awareness, reporting mechanisms, and the integration of wellbeing-focused supports within justice processes, with attention to women’s experiences and access to justice.


        
      

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