Relationship fraud: Romance, friendship and family frauds

Button, Mark ; Carter, Elisabeth (2024) — Journal of Economic Criminology
DOI: 10.1016/j.jeconc.2024.100069
Synopsis

Relationship fraud refers to intentional deception in which trust within intimate or interpersonal ties—romance, friendship, and family relationships—is exploited to obtain money, property, or other benefits. The topic covers both online and offline contexts and addresses the economic and social harms that follow from such lies. It encompasses a range of behaviors, from misrepresentation of finances or status to deliberate manipulation of emotions for gain. Within the field of economic criminology, relationship fraud sits at the intersection of financial crime, trust, and social dynamics, involving victims, perpetrators, and institutions alike. Analytical attention focuses on typologies of fraud, the mechanisms by which relationships are exploited, and the incentives that motivate offenders. Key themes include how emotional bonds reduce perceived risk, the role of deception in initiating or sustaining transactions, and the ways digital platforms facilitate or obscure exploitation. The literature draws on case materials, court records, and empirical data to illuminate patterns across romance, friendship, and family contexts, while acknowledging the complexity of measuring harm and the ethical considerations involved in research on private relations. Implications center on prevention, detection, and response. Topics include consumer protection and financial-education approaches, risk assessment in caregiving and dating-market settings, and policy tools to deter fraudulent behavior while protecting victims. The scope also highlights gaps in understanding and suggests directions for future work, such as cross-disciplinary methods, international comparison, and evaluation of intervention programs within the broader economy of crime.
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