Citation

Wiederhold BK. Cyberpsychol. Behav. Soc. Netw. 2024; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2024, Mary Ann Liebert Publishers)

DOI

10.1089/cyber.2024.29311.editorial

PMID

38471113

Abstract

In the age of digital connection, people seek connection and companionship through the click of a button or the swipe of a screen. However, among other challenges with online dating, such as crafting the perfect profile and striking up a meaningful conversation with a stranger, the threat of deception looms large. In 2022, nearly 70,000 people reported falling victim to a romance scam, amounting to losses in the range of $1.3 billion (and that's only what people were willing to report--the actual number may be far higher).1

These scams are characterized by the manipulation of individuals who are already in a vulnerable state of mind: they are looking for love in the digital world. Scammers use the power of electronic communication to fabricate emotional bonds and then exploit those bonds for economic gain. Understanding the nuanced characteristics of both victims and scammers in online romance scams, alongside the ways through which these crimes are perpetrated, is crucial for developing comprehensive prevention strategies that can effectively safeguard individuals and communities against the devastating financial and emotional consequences of online romance scams. ...

Language: en