Online romance fraud represents a category of cybercrime that exploits emotional manipulation to extract financial resources or secure personal information. The conduct has grown alongside rising internet penetration in Indonesia, prompting scrutiny of how the national legal apparatus responds to such offenses. This article assesses Indonesia’s principal legal instruments, including the Electronic Information and Transactions Law (UU ITE) and the Criminal Code (KUHP), regarding their capacity to address online romance fraud. It also seeks to reveal regulatory gaps and practical obstacles that hinder effective enforcement. By outlining potential areas for reform, the study aims to propose policy updates that are more adaptable to evolving technological landscapes, thereby strengthening public protection against this form of criminal activity. Methodologically, the research adopts a qualitative approach grounded in normative jurisprudence. The analysis focuses on how current laws apply to cases of online romance fraud and whether their language and sanctions align with the harms involved. Secondary sources—including legal literature, case reports, and national surveys—are drawn on to evaluate the real-world effectiveness of existing regulations. The inquiry emphasizes the preparatory step of mapping statutory provisions to practical outcomes, identifying where legal tools succeed and where they fall short in capturing deceit rooted in online interactions. Findings indicate that Indonesia’s existing legal policies have notable limitations. Specifically, neither the UU ITE nor Article 378 of the KUHP explicitly criminalizes wrongdoing that hinges on emotional manipulation within online relationships. The conclusion underscores the need for updates that provide clearer definitions, impose stricter sanctions, and establish more accessible reporting channels. Complementary measures suggested include expanding digital literacy initiatives and fostering international cooperation to address cross-border dimensions. The study also highlights the importance of partnering with digital platforms to enhance AI-based security measures and to bolster the capacity of law enforcement, aiming to create a safer digital environment for citizens and reduce susceptibility to online romance fraud.