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The living evidence base for romance scam research

Find the studies, inspect the evidence, understand what is known, and see the questions that still need answers.

We do not host documents. All items link to publisher or repository pages.

Research corpus at a glance

Approved publications
226
Living syntheses
7
Quality-cleared synopses
226
Corpus updated

How RSRC Uses AI

AI helps RSRC organize and summarize research. Outputs may contain errors; verify findings in the linked original source.

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Explore the research

Search approved publications by title, author, DOI, topic, year, or research method.

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See what the evidence says

Read living syntheses that connect findings across publications and identify uncertainties and research gaps.

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Research Insights

Synthesis and analysis across the corpus

Corpus-level findings that connect evidence across multiple publications and make uncertainties and research gaps visible.

Living Evidence Synthesis

Attack Methods and Offender Strategies

Attack Methods and Offender Strategies: How Offenders Identify, Approach, Groom, Deceive, and Exploit Targets

Reviewed studies document a multi-stage pattern in relationship-based online fraud: offenders create attractive or otherwise fraudulent profiles, engage victims in grooming that can last from weeks to many months, and then progress to requests for money (all identified Stage 3 va...

Publications:
24
Evidence statements:
268
Read the living evidence synthesis
Living Evidence Synthesis

Prevention and Intervention

Prevention and Intervention for Romance‑Related Online Fraud: Evidence Synthesis

Across the reviewed evidence, a stage‑aware prevention approach is the clearest, recurrent recommendation: foreground early recognition triggers in relationship timelines, combine public education with platform‑ and financial‑sector mitigations, and provide timely, respectful ref...

Publications:
17
Evidence statements:
52
Read the living evidence synthesis

Research Library

Recently curated publications

Individual studies and reports recently added to the approved collection.

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Cybercrime over Internet Love Scams in Malaysia: A Discussion on the Theoretical...

This publication investigates Internet love scams in Malaysia, aiming to understand the ethical and social dynamics that drive the crime and to discuss potential responses. It frames the issue through four theoretical le...

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Cybercrime through love scams: what women should know?

This publication presents a conceptual study that examines cybercrime through love scams, with a focus on women as a potentially vulnerable group. It situates the issue within broader technological and societal changes,...

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Analysis of Interpersonal Communication Patterns of Love Scams Mode on Social Me...

This publication reports on a qualitative study that examines how love scam dynamics unfold among female students on social media in Medan City. The stated purpose is to determine the pattern of interpersonal communicati...

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Unveiling the Romance Scam Scheme: Psychological Manipulation and Its Impact on...

This publication presents a neutral, source-grounded synopsis of a 2024 literature review that examines romance scam schemes in Japanese society. The authors aim to illuminate how perpetrators manipulate victims and to d...

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What are the real and perceived risks and dangers of online dating? Perspectives...

This publication reports on a qualitative study exploring online daters’ perceptions of risk and actual experiences with online dating. The authors aim to understand what online daters themselves see as risky, and to doc...

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Strategi Komunikasi Penjenayah Cinta Siber Terhadap Wanita Profesional

The study aims to understand how love scammers target professional women in Malaysia, what factors draw victims into online dating fraud, and how scammers structure their communications. Using a qualitative design, the r...

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“Elder Scam” Risk Profiles: Individual and Situational Factors of Younger and Ol...

The article investigates how individual characteristics and daily activities relate to online fraud victimization, and whether these patterns differ between younger (18–54) and older (55+) adults. The study combines the...

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About RSRC

Built to make romance scam research usable

Founded by LD Herrera, PhD, RSRC organizes romance scam scholarship into a searchable public library and living evidence syntheses for researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and the public.

Learn about RSRC and its founder