How Do Real Cybercrime Syndicates Operate?: The Case of Online Romance Fraud Syndicates

Andoh-Baidoo, FK. ; Offei, MO. ; Ayaburi, EW. ; Siponen, M. ; Gladyshev, P. (2024) — IEEE Security & Privacy

DOI: 10.1109/msec.2024.3401288

Synopsis

Catalog entry: Online romance frauds originating from Africa are described as organized activities conducted by syndicates typically comprising 150 to 200 individual scammers. The material outlines a multi-tiered network in which tasks are distributed across three levels. At the base, operational level actors carry out direct fraudulent communications and manipulation of targets. These actors are overseen by “chairmen,” whose responsibilities include coordinating activity, enforcing discipline, and reporting performance to higher leadership. Above them sits the “chairman of chairmen,” a supervisory tier that aggregates reports and sets strategic direction for the network. The arrangement is presented as a formal ladder, with information and material resources flowing upward through defined channels. The description notes that the precise structure can vary and that roles may be adapted to fit operational demands. A secondary dimension concerns sympathizers and peripheral actors whose actions or inactions may unintentionally support the fraud ecosystem. Their involvement can take the form of passive engagement, social sharing, or failure to report suspicious activity. The overview highlights the potential influence of non-operational participants on the persistence of fraudulent schemes, without attributing intent to the sympathizers. The entry situates these factors within a broader context of online deception, emphasizing descriptive characterization rather than prescriptive guidance. Overall, the catalog presents a concise, neutral account of organizational dynamics and social interactions that can accompany online romance frauds associated with this regional context.

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