Romance Scam Research Center

A crime script perspective on mapping the entry, continuation, and exit pathways of online romance fraud

Abubakari, Yushawu; Lazarus, Suleman; Oseh-Ovarah, Valeen (2026) — International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice

Type: Journal Article

This article presents a crime script perspective on online romance fraud, focusing on how fraudulent schemes are initiated, sustained, and completed in digital environments. Grounded in crime-script analysis, it maps ent...

A scoping review of online romance scams: Conceptual construction and comparative analysis

Wang, Fangzhou (2026) — International Review of Victimology

Type: Journal Article Tags: victim experience, offender tactics, psychology, platform policy, money mules, prevention

This scoping review synthesizes findings from a body of 62 empirical investigations to construct a framework that differentiates two primary forms of online romance scams: advance fee romance scams and investment-based r...

Fight Fire With Fire: How Does AI‐Powered Technology Empower the Elderly Anti‐AI Fraud Through a Socio‐Technical Systems Theory Lens?

Sima, Herbert; Chen, Jie; Wei, Junlong; Chen, Wei; Thaichon, Park (2026) — Journal of Consumer Behaviour

Type: Journal Article Tags: older adults, platform policy, AI misuse, prevention, cross-cultural Populations: older adults

This piece examines Fight Fire With Fire: How Does AI‐Powered Technology Empower the Elderly Anti‐AI Fraud Through a Socio‐Technical Sys within the broader context of online fraud and mediated communication. It outlines...

Media Presentation of Online Romance Fraud in the Czech Republic: Visibility, Victim-Offender Framing, and Sentiment

Abubakari, Yushawu (2026) — European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research

Type: Journal Article

This catalog-style study surveys how online romance fraud is presented in Czech media, with a focus on visibility, victim-offender framing, and sentiment within coverage. Situating the analysis within the fields of crimi...

On-line romance scam

Šimon, Jakub (2026) — Psychiatrie pro praxi

Type: Journal Article

This piece examines On-line romance scam within the broader context of online fraud and mediated communication. It outlines common patterns documented in the literature, describes how offenders cultivate trust and shift...

Online romance scam victimization fear: theorizing the causes and the consequences

Alam, Nabid; Dhillon, Gurpreet; Oliveira, Tiago (2026) — Internet Research

Type: Journal Article Tags: victim experience, psychology, platform policy, risk factors, measurement Methods: survey, interview, qualitative, quantitative

The study seeks to illuminate the causes and effects of fear of victimization from online romance scams, treating it as a form of psychological stress that matters for both individuals who date online and the platforms t...

Practitioner perspectives on what works in preventing fraud against older adults

Button, Mark; Karagiannopoulos, Vasileios; Shepherd, David; Kirby, Annie; Lee, Julak; Suh, Joon Bae; Jung, Jeyong; Koh, Chol Soo (2026) — Journal of Economic Criminology

Type: Journal Article

This catalog-style synopsis examines the topic of practitioner perspectives on what works to prevent fraud against older adults, as discussed in the Journal of Economic Criminology. It aggregates viewpoints from professi...

‘Love is a powerful force and in our pursuit of it we are easily blinded’: Examining negative consequences experienced by catfishing fraud victims

Golladay, Katelyn A; Snyder, Jamie A (2025) — International Review of Victimology

Type: Journal Article Country: United States Tags: victim experience, platform policy, measurement Methods: survey

Digital victimization is increasingly observed as a societal concern, with individuals concealing their true identities behind screens to manipulate and target others who are seeking friendship or companionship online. T...

“Falling into a Black Hole”: A Qualitative Exploration of the Lived Experiences of Cyberscam Victim-Survivors and Their Social Support Networks

Cazanis, Alyxandra; Carminati, Jao-Yue; Chew, Kimberly; Cross, Cassandra; Ponsford, Jennie; Gould, Kate Rachel (2025) — Victims & Offenders

Type: Journal Article Country: Australia

This study investigates the lived experiences of cyberscam victim-survivors and their friends and family members, highlighting vulnerabilities, impacts, and support needs. Although cyberscams affect millions globally, ex...

“This is a lifesaver”: co-designing a novel cyberscam psychosocial recovery intervention framework for people with acquired brain injury

Chew, Kimberly Ann; Ponsford, Jennie Louise; Gould, Kate Rachel (2025) — Disability and Rehabilitation

Type: Journal Article Country: Australia

This piece examines “This is a lifesaver”: co-designing a novel cyberscam psychosocial recovery intervention framework for people with acquired brain injury within the broader context of online fraud and mediated communi...