A systematic literature review of profiling victims of cyber scams: setting up a framework for future research
Whitty, MT. (2025) — Cogent Social Sciences
Type: Journal Article
Country: United Kingdom
This article presents a systematic literature review (SLR) of research profiling victims of cyber scams, aiming to establish a framework for future studies. The review was motivated by the rapid global growth of cyber sc...
An Examination of Digital Validation-Seeking Behaviors in Adolescents as Precursors to Romance Scamming
Ohu, Francis; Jones, Laura (2025) — Scientia Moralitas Conference Proceedings
Country: United States
Tags: offender tactics, psychology, AI misuse, risk factors, measurement
This study investigates digital validation-seeking behaviors among adolescents and young adults as precursors to romance scamming. It argues that patterns of deceptive online self-presentation, reinforced by social media...
Romance Scams and Older Adults: A Health and Social Care Perspective
Sorinmade, Oluwatoyin; Emmett, Charlotte; Elugbadebo, Olufisayo; Okolo, Chidera (2025) — Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine
Type: Journal Article
Country: United Kingdom
Tags: victim experience, psychology, older adults
Populations: older adults
The proliferation of online interaction has expanded opportunities for connection and encounter, alongside increasingly sophisticated forms of exploitation. This article centers on romance scams as a significant threat,...
More Than Just a “Bad” Online Experience: Risk Factors and Characteristics of Catfishing Fraud Victimization
Snyder, Jamie A.; Golladay, Katelyn (2024) — Deviant Behavior
Type: Journal Article
Country: United States
This study examines the relatively underexplored area of catfishing victimization—cases where individuals are deceived online but not necessarily defrauded financially. Using survey data from 1,511 social media and datin...
More than Money: Examining the Potential Exposure of Romance Fraud Victims to Identity Crime
Cross, C.; Holt, TJ. (2023) — Global Crime
Type: Journal Article
Country: Australia
More than Money: Examining the Potential Exposure of Romance Fraud Victims to Identity Crime is presented as a global crime topic that analyzes how victims of romance fraud may face exposure to identity crime beyond fina...
Tainted Love: a Systematic Literature Review of Online Romance Scam Research
Bilz, A.; Shepherd, LA.; Johnson, GI. (2023) — Interacting with Computers
Type: Journal Article
Country: United Kingdom
Tags: victim experience, offender tactics, law enforcement, platform policy, AI misuse, measurement, cross-cultural
Methods: interview, content analysis, experiment, qualitative, quantitative
Romance scams are orchestrated by online criminals who cultivate a deceptive romantic relationship on dating platforms with the aim of extracting money from victims. This form of cybercrime is harmful and often leaves th...
Cyber victimization during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A syndemic looming large
Shoib, Sheikh; Philip, Sharad; Bista, Seema; Saeed, Fahimeh; Javed, Sana; Ori, Dorottya; Bashir, Adil; Chandradasa, Miyuru (2022) — Health Science Reports
Type: Journal Article
Country: United States
The commentary highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic increased online presence due to lockdowns and social isolation, which in turn escalated incidents of cyber victimization. This includes cyberbullying, harassment, stal...
Do we need to know about cyberscams in neurorehabilitation? A cross-sectional scoping survey of Australasian clinicians and service providers
Gould, Kate Rachel; Carolan, Matthew; Ponsford, Jennie Louise (2022) — Brain Impairment
Country: Australia
This study investigates whether cyberscams—particularly romance scams—are a clinical issue in neurorehabilitation, focusing on adults with acquired brain injury (ABI). People with ABI often experience cognitive, emotiona...
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...
Do You Love Me? Psychological Characteristics of Romance Scam Victims
Whitty, MT. (2018) — Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking
Type: Journal Article
Country: United Kingdom
Do You Love Me? Psychological Characteristics of Romance Scam Victims, published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, presents a catalog-style overview of how perpetrators exploit online romance scripts a...
