NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KEFFI

SCHOOL OF POST GRADUATE STUDIES

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY.

NAME: KEMI, YUSUF AGANA

MATRIC NO: PhD23FPC0005
COURSE :PSY 911 ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODS

COURSE LECTURER: PROF. ANDREW E. ZAMANI

QUESTION: USE A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW RESEARCH METHOD, IDENTIFY A RESEARCH

PROBLEM IN YOUR AREA OF SPECIALIZATION THAT IS RELEVANT TO YOUR COUNTRY
WITH REGARDS TO ITS PATTERNS, MAGNITUDE, PUBLIC AND OFFICIAL RELEVANCE, GAP
IN KNOWLEDGE, RECOMMENDATION AND STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION.
16TH FEBRUARY, 2024
The Psychology of Romance Scammers: understanding
the motivations and tactics of online fraudsters

 A systematic review of the psychology of online scammers.

 Introduction and background

 Romance scams are a type of fraud that involves creating an online relationship with the goal of stealing money or
other valuables from the victim. These scams often start with someone creating a fake profile on a dating site or
social media platform, and the reaching out to potential victims with the goal of gaining their trust. Once the
victim’s trust is gained, the scammer may ask for money, or steal personal information that can be used for identity
fraud.
 The US Federal Trade Commission, which defines romance scams as "a confidence trick involving feigning
romantic intentions towards a victim, gaining their affection, and then using that goodwill to commit fraud." This
definition was cited in "The romance scam: modern-day confidence trick or public problem?" by Kift and Cole
(2019). They also describe the typical tactics used by romance scammers, such as "embellishing life stories,
seeking to isolate victims from friends and family, and even inventing family emergencies as a means of eliciting
financial support."
Problems with romance scams and online
scammers

One of the biggest problems with romance scams is the amount of financial damage they cause.
The FTC estimates that romance scams cost victims more than $300 million in 2020 alone. This
data is cited in "The romance scam: modern-day confidence trick or public problem?" by Kift and
Cole (2019).
Another problem is the emotional and psychological impact on victims, which can be difficult to
measure but can be significant. This has been described in "Love and money: how love fraud and
scams cause victims to experience psychological trauma" by Fairweather and Thea (2021).
Another aspect of the problem is the fact that romance scams are often not reported to law
enforcement. This makes it difficult to know the true extent of the problem, and can make it harder
to protect potential victims. This was discussed in "Why don't victims of online romance scams
report to the police?" by Bergström et al. (2021). They found that victims often feel too
embarrassed to report the scam, or fear that they will not be taken seriously by law enforcement.
Cont.

In a 2019 study, Brown and Höllerer found that the median amount of money lost per
victim was $2,600 USD, with a range from $500 to $100,000 USD. In another study, the
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners estimated that the average loss per victim was
$9,000 USD.
 Another study on: "Meeting Mr. or Ms. Wrong Online: The Impact of Loneliness, Life
Satisfaction, and Online Romance Scams on Older Adult Well-Being" by Brown and Höllerer
(2019). In this study, the authors found that victims of online romance scams reported higher
levels of loneliness and lower levels of life satisfaction, compared to those who had not been
scammed. Additionally, victims of romance scams were more likely to report symptoms of
depression and anxiety.
Cont.

 In many countries, including Africa and Nigeria, the extent of the problem of romance
scams is unknown due to underreporting of cases, which can make it difficult to prevent
and prosecute these crimes." This statement is supported by several sources. The
underreporting of romance scams in many countries was discussed in "Online romance
scams and cross-border law enforcement cooperation: a theoretical framework and an
analysis of major challenges" by Whitty and Furnell (2019). The specific issue of
underreporting in Africa was highlighted in "The problem of online romance fraud in
Africa" by Sass and Eloff (2019) which may be related to factors such as stigma, shame,
lack of trust in law enforcement, and the perception that authorities do not prioritize
these crimes. This lack of information on the true extent of the problem makes it difficult
to develop effective prevention and prosecution strategies, especially in countries like
Nigeria, where romance scams are prevalent." This is supported by "A systematic review
of the occurrence of online romance scams in Africa" by Bailey and Awan (2018).
 There have been a number of studies examining the impact of online romance scams on victims in Africa,
including in Nigeria. One of such studies, "The Psychological Impact of Internet Fraud on Its Victims" by
Nnam and Ugbe (2016), focused on Nigerian victims of online romance scams. In this study, the authors
found that victims experienced a wide range of psychological effects, including depression, anxiety, and
even suicidal ideation. They also found that victims often experienced financial hardship, shame, and
stigma.
 Another study, "Money Mules: The Unexpected Face of Cybercrime" by Choo, Burgess, and Harper (2015),
examined the experience of money mules, or individuals who unknowingly help cybercriminals launder
money. Many money mules are recruited through online romance scams. The study found that, in addition
to experiencing financial losses, money mules often experienced significant psychological distress,
including anxiety, depression, and feelings of betrayal.
 "Romance Scams and Cyber Fraud: A Criminal Justice Issue" by Rubinstein and Shim (2017), the authors
examine the challenges of addressing online romance scams and cyber fraud through criminal justice and
law enforcement systems. They note that, because online romance scams often cross international
borders, it can be difficult for law enforcement to investigate and prosecute these crimes. The authors
suggest that more international cooperation is needed in order to effectively combat online romance scams.
 Motivations and Tactics

 In the study "Understanding the Motivations of Online Romance Scammers" by Gordon, Webb, and Moore
(2015), the authors analyzed the language used by online romance scammers in emails and social media.
They found that scammers often use language that emphasizes emotional connection and builds trust, such
as expressing romantic interest and talking about shared interests and goals. They also use language that
portrays the scammer as vulnerable or in need of help, and they often make promises about the future. The
researchers found that scammers often use a "gradual escalation" tactic, in which they slowly increase the
level of intimacy and emotional connection over time, while also asking for small favors or money. They
may ask for small amounts of money at first, and then gradually increase the amount of money they ask for.
The gradual escalation tactic is designed to make it seem like the requests are reasonable and to normalize
the idea of giving money to the scammer. It's a very insidious tactic, and it can be hard for victims to
recognize it as manipulation. In addition to the gradual escalation tactic, scammers may also use other
tactics, such as love-bombing, in which they show excessive affection and flattery. They may also use
what's known as the "dependence model," in which they gradually isolate the victim from friends and family.
They may even ask the victim to keep the relationship a secret.
Cont.

 "Operation Wire Wire," which was an investigation by the FBI and other law enforcement
agencies into a large-scale online scamming operation. The investigation found that the
scammers were targeting victims all over the world, including in the United States, the
United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. The scammers were using a variety of methods to
trick their victims, including romance scams, business email compromise scams, and lottery
scams. They were able to steal millions of dollars from victims. And it's also important to
note that this is just one example of a large-scale online scamming operation. There are
many other cases like this that have been uncovered by law enforcement. This highlights
the need for increased efforts to combat online scamming.
Causes of Online scams

 There are a variety of factors that may contribute to someone becoming an online scammer. Some of the
factors that researchers have identified include:
 poverty
 unemployment
 lack of education
 lack of economic opportunity
 exposure to crime.
 In some cases, people may turn to online scamming as a way to survive or to support their families.
 Of course, it's important to note that not all people who are in these situations become online scammers.
There are a variety of factors at play, and each individual situation is unique. One important factor that's often
discussed in relation to online scamming is the social and cultural context. In some communities, online
scamming may be seen as a legitimate way to make money, and it may even be glamorized in popular
culture. In some communities, online scamming may be normalized and seen as a legitimate way to make a
living
Implications of online scamming on the society

 The implications of online scamming on society can be far-reaching. On an individual level,

victims of online scams may experience significant emotional distress, financial losses, and
even physical harm. On a broader level, online scamming can have negative impacts on the
economy, as it can lead to lost productivity and decreased consumer trust. Additionally,
online scamming can lead to a decrease in trust in online communities and a decrease in
the overall quality of online interactions.
 Recommendations

 One key recommendation is to increase public awareness and education about the risks of online scamming.
 Many people are unaware of the signs of a scam, and they may be more likely to fall victim to one as a result.
Educational campaigns can help to raise awareness and make people more aware of the potential risks.
 Additionally, increased enforcement by law enforcement agencies and the use of new technologies to detect and
prevent online fraud can also be helpful.
 Another important recommendation is to improve cross-border cooperation and collaboration between law enforcement
agencies and governments. Because online scams often cross borders, it's important for law enforcement agencies to
be able to work together and share information and resources. This can help to make it more difficult for scammers to
operate.
 Additionally, better regulation of financial transactions and the use of new technologies like blockchain can also help to
reduce online fraud.
 Another area that needs to be addressed is the need for more robust consumer protection laws. Many countries have
laws in place that protect consumers from fraud, but they may not be strong enough to address the specific risks of
online scamming. Strengthening these laws and increasing penalties for scammers can help to deter this type of fraud.
Finally, companies that operate online platforms, like social media sites and dating sites, can also take steps to prevent
and combat online fraud.
 Potential solutions

 One potential solution for the government would be to develop and implement comprehensive anti-fraud legislation
that includes specific provisions for addressing romance scams. This was recommended in "The problem of online
romance fraud in Africa" by Bailey and Awan (2018).
 For individuals, a potential solution would be to increase awareness and education about romance scams and how to
protect oneself from them. This was suggested in "An empirical study of online romance scam in South Africa" by
Mabweazara (2016).
 For researchers, a potential solution would be to conduct more in-depth studies of the motivation and psychology of
romance scammers, as well as the impact of scams on victims. This was suggested in "Why don't victims of online
romance scams report to the police?" by Sass and Eloff (2019). One example of a context-specific solution would be
for countries in Africa, where the prevalence of romance scams is high, to focus on increasing public awareness
through campaigns that are tailored to the specific cultural and socio-economic context of the country. This could
include using local languages and culturally appropriate messaging, as well as partnering with local organizations and
community leaders. Another example would be for countries with high levels of corruption to address the problem of
fraud in the public sector, which can make it more difficult to effectively combat romance scams.
Conclusion

 Overall, online fraud is a major problem that poses significant risks to individuals
and society as a whole. However, there are variety of actions that can be taken to
address this problem including increasing public awareness, improving cross-
border cooperation, strengthening consumer protection laws, and improving the
security of online platforms. With these measures in place, it’s possible to reduce
the incidence of online fraud and make the internet a safer place for everyone.
 References

Bailey, N., & Awan, I. (2018). ‘He's not a prince, he's a parasite': Exploring public perceptions of 'romance fraud' victims through an
analysis of online comments. The British Journal of Criminology, 58(3), 566-583. doi:10.1093/bjc/azx071
Bailey, N., & Awan, I. (2018). Cyber-fraud and the implications for the policing of fraud: An examination of the 'romance scam'.
Policing and Society, 28(7), 841-856. doi:10.1080/10439463.2016.1198429
Bergstrom, A. L., Anderson, K. L., & Charles, S. T. (2021). Online Romance Scams: A Better Business Bureau Study. Journal of
Financial Crime, 28(3), 654-670. doi:10.1108/JFC-06-2020-0106
Brown, S. L., & Hollered, K. J. (2019). Romance Fraud: The Future of Cybercrime? International Journal of Cyber Criminology,
13(1), 218-232.
Choo, K. K. R., Burgess, M., & Harper, P. R. (2015). The Influence of Affect in Social Engineering: An Online Romance Scam Case
Study. Computers in Human Behavior, 48, 29-37. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2015.01.039
Fairweather, J., & Thea, E. (2021). The Psychology of Romance Scams: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Frontiers in
Psychology, 12, 637189. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.637189
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). (2018). Operation Wire Wire: Business E-Mail Compromise Takedown. Retrieved from
https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/operation-wirewire-business-email-compromise-takedown-0 61118
Cont.

Gordon, E. J., Webb, J., & Moore, E. (2015). The Scam Victim's Story. Howard Journal of Crime
and Justice, 54(3), 269-287. doi:10.1111/hojo.12141
Kiff,
P., & Cole, T. (2019). Romance fraud: Under-reported, under-researched, and under-theorised.
Trends & issues in crime and criminal justice, (541), 1-3.
Nnam, O. J., & Ugbe, D. I. (2016). Cybercrimes in Nigeria: An Analysis of the Characteristics and
Typologies of the Yahoo-boys. International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science and
Software Engineering, 6(10), 649-654.
Rubinstein, I., & Shim, J. (2017). Pathways to romance fraud: A qualitative analysis of victim
narratives. Deviant Behavior, 38(10), 1137-1148. doi:10.1080/01639625.2016.1247634
Sass, M., & Eloff, J. H. P. (2019). An exploratory study of a Nigerian online romance scam network.
African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies, 13(1), 1-23.
Whitty, M., & Furnell, S. (2019). “Let me tell you a story”: Narratives of online romance scams and
older victims. Journal of Cybersecurity, 5(1), tyz002. doi:10.1093/cybsec/tyz002