Romance Scam Research Center

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...

The victimology of online fraud: A focus on romance fraud victimisation

Drew, Jacqueline M.; Webster, Julianne (2024) — Journal of Economic Criminology

Type: Journal Article Country: Australia

This article provides a catalog-style overview of victimology in online fraud, with a focus on romance fraud victimisation. Situating online scams within the broader field of economic criminology, the work outlines how v...

What Money Can Do: Examining the Effects of Rewards on Online Romance Fraudsters’ Deceptive Strategies

Dickinson, T.; Wang, F.; Maimon, D. (2023) — Deviant Behavior

Type: Journal Article Country: United States

This catalog-style synopsis surveys a study that examines the relationship between monetary rewards and deceptive practices in online romance fraud. Positioned within Deviant Behavior, the analysis treats online dating f...