Love exerts a substantial influence on mental well-being, and emotional states tied to love do not require a real-life relationship. Romantic affection can arise in forms that lack frequent or direct contact, including connections with strangers encountered on dating platforms. The expanding reach of the Internet, together with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, has coincided with a rise in distant romantic ties and related deception schemes. In these contexts, victims often develop a lasting emotional bond with the other party even after the fraud is uncovered, a pattern researchers link to highly idealized portrayals of romance. The persistence of such attachments may be connected to distorted romantic imagery held by the victims, which is suggested to drive continued emotional investment despite a disclosed lie. Studies report that many victims exhibit symptoms