Industrialized heartbreak: how generative AI enables romance fraud at scale
Dominguez Castillo, Lorena (2026) — AI and Ethics
Type: Journal Article
Country: Global
Tags: Romance fraud, Generative AI, Deepfake, AI governance, Platform accountability, Technology-facilitated abuse, Sextortion, Cryptocurrency laundering, Online safety, Fraud detection, Deepfakes
Industrialized heartbreak describes a trend in which generative AI tools amplify romance fraud by enabling scalable creation of convincing digital personas and outreach. Proponents and critics alike discuss how text-base...
ROMANCE AND RUIN: THE INTERPLAY OF FINANCIAL LOSS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AMONG LOVE SCAM VICTIMS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Dr. Rhem Rick N. Corpuz; Mary Joy G. Galang; Kim Hope S. Gueco; Kate D. Pamintuan (2025) — EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR)
Type: Journal Article
Tags: victim experience, offender tactics, psychology, AI misuse, online dating platforms, prevention, measurement
This paper examines the relationship between financial loss and psychological well-being among victims of online romance scams in the Philippines using a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design. The study surveyed 38...
“What action should l take?”: Help-seeking behaviours of those targeted by romance fraud
Meikle, Wesley; Cross, Cassandra (2024) — Journal of Economic Criminology
Type: Journal Article
Country: Australia
This catalog-style synopsis summarizes a peer-reviewed article published in the Journal of Economic Criminology, examining help-seeking behaviours among people targeted by romance fraud. The piece surveys how victims res...
Catfishing, Is it Unregulated Crime in Indonesia?
Shaqilla, Nikita; Reda, Yahia (2024) — Neoclassical Legal Review: Journal of Law and Contemporary Issues
Type: Journal Article
Country: Indonesia
Tags: AI misuse, prevention, cross-cultural
Catfishing is presented as a form of international cybercrime, yet it lacks a clear definition within Indonesia’s national legal framework. The practice involves using false identities on the internet and can be treated...
Kebijakan Hukum dalam Pemberantasan Pelaku Online Romance Fraud di Ruang Maya
Fikri, Ahmad Ma'mun (2024) — JCIC : Jurnal CIC Lembaga Riset dan Konsultan Sosial
Type: Journal Article
Country: Indonesia
Tags: law enforcement, platform policy, AI misuse, measurement, cross-cultural
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...
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...
Unveiling the Patterns of Romance Scams in South Korea
Choi, SW.; Lee, J.; Choi, YJ. (2024) — International Journal of Cyber Behavior, Psychology and Learning
Type: Journal Article
Country: South Korea
Tags: offender tactics
Romance scams are a form of cybercrime in which fraudsters cultivate online relationships to obtain money, personal information, or access to resources from targeted individuals. Global trends indicate a rising prevalenc...
Romance baiting, cryptorom and ‘pig butchering’: an evolutionary step in romance fraud
Cross, C. (2023) — Current Issues in Criminal Justice
Type: Journal Article
Country: Australia
This article examines the recent convergence of romance fraud and investment fraud, resulting in what has been termed romance baiting, cryptorom, or pig butchering. These schemes use the façade of a romantic relationship...
The Use of Military Profiles in Romance Fraud Schemes
Cross, C.; Holt, TJ. (2021) — Victims & Offenders
Type: Journal Article
Country: Australia
This catalog entry analyzes the phenomenon of romance fraud in which perpetrators adopt military personas to initiate and sustain online relationships. The focus is on the construction and deployment of military profiles...
