Exploring Fear of Crime for Those Targeted by Romance Fraud

Cross, C. ; Lee, M. (2022) — Victims & Offenders
DOI: 10.1080/15564886.2021.2018080
Synopsis

Exploring Fear of Crime for Those Targeted by Romance Fraud is a cataloging-style examination of how fear of crime arises and persists among individuals who engage with or fall victim to online romantic deception. The discussion situates romance fraud as a multi-layered phenomenon that combines social engineering, emotional manipulation, and financial risk within digital dating contexts. It considers the spectrum of target experiences—from initial contact through continued interaction, coercion, and aftermath—emphasizing how fear can shape trust, decision making, and engagement with institutions. The material surveys the perspectives of both victims and offenders, presenting a balanced view of motivations, perceived threats, and protective behaviors. For victims, themes include emotional distress, sense of vulnerability, coping strategies, and barriers to reporting or seeking assistance. For offenders, the focus is on methods, rationalizations, and the social dynamics that enable manipulation. Cross-cutting sections address responses from service providers, law enforcement, and online platforms, along with ethical considerations and the implications of fear for risk communication and prevention efforts. It offers a catalog-style synthesis suitable for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers seeking to understand how fear interacts with crime in the online dating environment. The work highlights conceptual frameworks, common patterns across cases, and practical considerations for education, screening, and support services. By consolidating perspectives from victims and perpetrators, it supports informed discussions about prevention strategies, resilience-building, and responsible reporting in diverse communities.
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