Cybercrime through love scams: what women should know?

Muhammad, Farah Safura ; Muhammad, Hamizah (2022) — Journal of Contemporary Islamic Studies

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DOI: 10.24191/jcis.v8i2.3 (opens in a new tab)

Type: Journal Article

Country: Malaysia

Tags: Cybercrime, Malaysia, Offender Tactics, Older Adults, Psychology, Romance Scams, Victim Experience, Women

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Synopsis

This publication presents a conceptual study that examines cybercrime through love scams, with a focus on women as a potentially vulnerable group. It situates the issue within broader technological and societal changes, noting that the shift to virtual work and transactions during the COVID-19 era has heightened global cyber risks. The authors describe scammers’ modus operandi in two main forms: monetary deception and recruitment by militants, outlining how these schemes operate and the tactics used to lure victims. The article then analyzes factors that may lead women to become targets, considering personality aspects, individual characteristics, and the broader context in which victimization occurs. It discusses the potential impacts on women after being deceived, emphasizing emotional and financial consequences, and the ongoing challenges that can follow such experiences. The study frames these elements as interrelated considerations that influence vulnerability and the aftermath of contact with scammers. In its conclusions, the authors advocate for precautionary steps to reduce the likelihood of becoming victims and for coping strategies to address the consequences if victimization occurs. The emphasis is on practical measures to enhance awareness and resilience, rather than on general commentary. Overall, the article situates love scams within contemporary cybercrime, highlighting specific pathways that may affect women and stressing the importance of targeted prevention and response efforts.

Identified Gaps

The paper synthesizes prior literature and reported cases but does not provide original data on Malaysian women’s experiences, the prevalence of specific tactics, or the effectiveness of recommended precautions. It also combines romance fraud with Daesh recruitment, leaving limited direct comparison of their distinct targeting processes and harms.

Methods

This is a conceptual, literature-based study. The first author gathered literature and wrote the paper; the coauthor analyzed documents and reviewed it. The paper synthesizes published studies, official Malaysian statistics, news cases, and secondary accounts to describe love-scam tactics, women’s victimization factors, harms, and precautionary actions.

Limitations

The article presents no original participant data, sampling procedure, systematic review protocol, or outcome evaluation. Many claims are drawn from prior studies, official reports, and illustrative cases. Its broad treatment of cybercrime and militant recruitment alongside romance scams limits the specificity of conclusions about financial romance fraud.

Future Work

Future research should empirically test the proposed victimization factors, scammer stages, and recommended safety and reporting measures among women using online dating and social-media platforms. Research should also distinguish financially motivated romance scams from extremist recruitment, which are discussed together here but involve different outcomes and mechanisms.