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Das Geschäft mit der Liebe. Liebesbetrug im Internet

Patricia Jeßner (2023) — SIAK-Journal4/2023pp4–15; onlineFeb2024

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DOI: 10.7396/2023_4_a (opens in a new tab)

Country:   Austria
Tags:   Austria, Financial Fraud, Loneliness, Online Dating, Prevention, Reporting, Romance Scams, Victimization
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Synopsis

            
Patricia Jeßner’s Das Geschäft mit der Liebe. Liebesbetrug im Internet examines Romance Scams as they unfold on online dating platforms and social media in Austria. The article situates the phenomenon within a context of heavy daily Internet use, noting that a sizable portion of the population encounters online dating and social networks, while awareness of Love Scams remains relatively low and risk perception uneven. It draws on three methodological strands to illuminate the issue: a victim-focused interview with Love Scam victims, a dedicated written interview with a person affected by Love Scam, and a broader Dunkelfeld study that surveys the general population. The aim is to describe the typical patterns of the fraud, the profiles of scammers and targets, and the emotional and financial consequences for victims, as a basis for prevention and public education. The publication details a common three-phase arc of the scam and multiple recurring tactics used by perpetrators. In the first phase, scammers present an idealized partner through fake or stolen identities to elicit rapid affection. The relationship intensifies online, followed by a phase of fabricated personal visits or crises, and ultimately a pressure-filled final phase in which victims are asked for money. Common schemes include false military personnel, widowed or bereaved personas, and “Lotto jackpot” or alleged emergencies. The study emphasizes that romance scams exploit loneliness and rely on persistent, manipulative “love bombing,” escalating demands for financial help when victims feel emotionally entangled. Jeßner also reports on the consequences and responses: victims experience a range of harms from trust erosion and emotional distress to substantial financial losses, sometimes involving long-term debt or isolation. She notes variability in reporting to authorities and underscores the need for public education and supportive services to counter stigma, improve recognition of warning signs, and encourage timely help-seeking. The work implies that societal awareness and targeted prevention can reduce vulnerability, while acknowledging limitations in generalizability beyond the Austrian context.

          

        
                  

            
Identified Gaps

            
The paper indicates limited reporting and uneven victim experiences with police, especially outside larger cities. It also suggests that stigma, shame, and low awareness may inhibit disclosure and help seeking. These are practical knowledge and response gaps rather than explicitly formulated research gaps.

          

        
                  

            
Methods

            
The KFV used a mixed-methods design: an online survey of 92 romance-scam victims recruited through specialized forums and Facebook groups in autumn 2022; a CAWI population survey of 1,500 people aged 17 and older conducted in Austria from mid to late August 2022; and a written interview with Birgit Wohler, founder of a closed Facebook group for romance-scam victims.

          

        
                  

            
Limitations

            
The victim survey was recruited through specialized forums and Facebook groups, so it reflects help-seeking participants rather than a representative victim population. The author notes that case counts for losses above €40,000 were too small for valid statistical conclusions, and a substantial share of victims did not report loss amounts. Some reporting observations derive from one expert's experience.

          

        
                  

            
Future Work

            
Increase public education about romance-scam tactics and warning signs to reduce stigma and encourage reporting. Improve police sensitization so officers respond empathetically to victims in a shame-laden situation. Further research is not explicitly proposed.

          

              

    
    

        
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