Unveiling the Patterns of Romance Scams in South Korea

Choi, SW. ; Lee, J. ; Choi, YJ. (2024) — International Journal of Cyber Behavior, Psychology and Learning
Synopsis

Romance scams are a form of cybercrime in which fraudsters cultivate online relationships to obtain money, personal information, or access to resources from targeted individuals. Global trends indicate a rising prevalence, with rapid growth observed in multiple regions. In South Korea, cases and public attention have increased, and investigators report that offenders are pursuing more elaborate deception schemes. The tactics typically combine social-engineering, persona fabrication, and deceptive requests for financial support, often transmitted through messaging apps and social platforms. The evolving nature of these scams presents persistent challenges for victims, platforms, and law enforcement. The legal and regulatory environment in South Korea shapes how such offenses are investigated, prosecuted, and deterred. A distinctive framework governs online fraud, consumer protection, data privacy, and cross-border cooperation, influencing enforcement priorities and victim-remedy options. In practice, investigators must navigate complex digital trails and international aspects, while platform operators balance user safety with privacy obligations. Respondents to these crimes have used a mix of criminal charges, civil remedies, and preventive measures, including awareness campaigns and collaboration with financial institutions to monitor suspicious payments and disrupt illicit fund flows. Scholarly and policy-focused regional analyses of romance scams remain limited, leaving gaps in understanding incidence patterns, offender typologies, and effective countermeasures. This situation affects the design of prevention programs, victim support services, and cross-border coordination. Cataloged findings emphasize the value of standardized data collection, transparent reporting, and ongoing evaluation of enforcement outcomes. Stakeholders generally advocate for multi-stakeholder approaches that integrate law enforcement, electronic platforms, consumers, and financial services to reduce harm and improve resilience against evolving fraud techniques.
Citation style