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The online romance scam: a serious cybercrime
Monica T Whitty1, Tom Buchanan
1Department of Media and Communication, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom. mw229@le.ac.uk
Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking
|February 7, 2012
Summary
Online romance scams, a newer form of fraud, have affected an estimated 230,000 individuals in Great Britain. Increased awareness and improved reporting mechanisms for victims are crucial to combat this growing cybercrime.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Cybercrime Studies
- Sociology
Background:
- Online romance scams represent a novel and evolving category of financial fraud.
- These scams typically involve perpetrators building trust through online dating platforms before defrauding victims.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present descriptive statistics on public awareness and incidence of online romance scams in Great Britain.
- To quantify the prevalence of victimization within this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Descriptive statistical analysis of survey data.
- Examination of reported incidents and victim demographics in Great Britain.
Main Results:
- An estimated 230,000 British citizens may have been victims of online romance scams.
- Despite the relative newness of the crime, significant levels of victimization were identified.
Conclusions:
- The findings highlight a substantial impact of online romance scams on the British population.
- There is a critical need to re-evaluate and enhance reporting channels for victims, fostering greater comfort and accessibility.
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