Hyperpersonal feedback and online romance fraud: an empirical examination

Wang, F. ; Dickinson, T. (2024) — Journal of Crime and Justice
DOI: 10.1080/0735648x.2024.2376700
Synopsis

This catalog-style synopsis surveys an empirical investigation into hyperpersonal feedback in online romance and its relationship to fraud. The study frames online dating interactions through hyperpersonal dynamics, where tailored self-presentation, asynchronous communication, and accelerated perceived intimacy shape how participants engage with potential partners. Grounded in criminology and communication theory, the work considers how these features may intersect with deceptive practices aimed at financial or emotional gain, and it delineates the phenomena of online romance fraud within broader patterns of victimization and crime prevention. The empirical examination describes data-informed analysis of online dating interactions to identify patterns associated with fraudulent activity. It engages with concepts such as trust, credibility construction, and manipulation tactics, and it considers how rapid self-disclosure and crafted personas might influence relationship progression and risk perception. Findings are reported as observed associations and descriptive patterns between hyperpersonal communication characteristics and indicators of fraud risk, with emphasis on clarifying the potential links rather than asserting universal causality. Together, the article contributes to understanding how online romance dynamics may interact with criminal deception. It outlines implications for prevention, detection, and education, addressing concerns relevant to platform providers, users, and policymakers seeking to reduce victimization while recognizing legitimate dating activity. The discussion points to considerations for future research and highlights contextual factors—such as cultural norms and individual vulnerability—that may shape the relationship between hyperpersonal feedback and online romance fraud in real-world settings.
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