What Money Can Do: Examining the Effects of Rewards on Online Romance Fraudsters’ Deceptive Strategies

Dickinson, T. ; Wang, F. ; Maimon, D. (2023) — Deviant Behavior

DOI: 10.1080/01639625.2023.2197547

Synopsis

This catalog-style synopsis surveys a study that examines the relationship between monetary rewards and deceptive practices in online romance fraud. Positioned within Deviant Behavior, the analysis treats online dating fraud as a form of deviant activity shaped by economic incentives. It outlines how fraudsters may use financial gain to motivate actions, influence risk assessment, and adapt deceptive tactics to evolving platform safeguards. The focus is on conceptual questions about how rewards interact with planning, trust manipulation, and persistence in the pursuit of illicit gain. The narrative centers on describing the topic, defining the scope, and mapping the kinds of deceptive strategies commonly associated with romance fraud, without prescribing outcomes or endorsing criminal behavior. The aim is to present a neutral, descriptive picture suitable for readers seeking to understand the potential influence of money on offender decision making within digital dating contexts. Organized around thematic threads, the synopsis identifies areas such as the characterization of typical deceptive moves, the signaling role of money in scam narratives, the interaction between victim responses and offender tactics, and the way platforms and law enforcement respond to monetized deception. It situates the discussion within broader literatures on deviant behavior, fraud, and economic psychology, highlighting how monetary incentives may shape strategic choices and adaptation over time. The work is presented as a concise, theory-informed overview designed to support scholarly inquiry, policy consideration, and practical efforts to mitigate harm, rather than as a report of experimental findings. By outlining the possible pathways through which rewards influence online romance fraud, the piece signals avenues for future research and prevention without

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