Romance Scam Research Center

“Falling into a Black Hole”: A Qualitative Exploration of the Lived Experiences of Cyberscam Victim-Survivors and Their Social Support Networks

Cazanis, Alyxandra; Carminati, Jao-Yue; Chew, Kimberly; Cross, Cassandra; Ponsford, Jennie; Gould, Kate Rachel (2025) — Victims & Offenders

Type: Journal Article Country: Australia

This study investigates the lived experiences of cyberscam victim-survivors and their friends and family members, highlighting vulnerabilities, impacts, and support needs. Although cyberscams affect millions globally, ex...

“This is a lifesaver”: co-designing a novel cyberscam psychosocial recovery intervention framework for people with acquired brain injury

Chew, Kimberly Ann; Ponsford, Jennie Louise; Gould, Kate Rachel (2025) — Disability and Rehabilitation

Type: Journal Article Country: Australia

This piece examines “This is a lifesaver”: co-designing a novel cyberscam psychosocial recovery intervention framework for people with acquired brain injury within the broader context of online fraud and mediated communi...

Digital Deception: Online Fraud Targeting the Elderly – Patterns, Mechanisms, and Policy Responses

Carter, Wendy (2025)

Type: Journal Article Country: Australia Tags: victim experience, psychology, older adults, platform policy, AI misuse, prevention Populations: older adults

This piece examines Digital Deception: Online Fraud Targeting the Elderly – Patterns, Mechanisms, and Policy Responses within the broader context of online fraud and mediated communication. It outlines common patterns do...

Does age matter? Examining seniors’ experiences of romance fraud

Cross, C.; Holt, TJ. (2025) — Security Journal

Type: Journal Article Country: Australia Tags: victim experience, older adults, AI misuse, risk factors Populations: older adults

Romance fraud centers on offenders who present a believable romantic connection to persuade victims to surrender money. Although research on romance deception has expanded, there is limited exploration of how victims’ de...

The Mental Health Impacts of Internet Scams

Balcombe, Luke (2025) — International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Type: Journal Article Country: Australia Tags: victim experience, AI misuse, risk factors, prevention Methods: case study

Cyber fraud schemes have grown in sophistication and are increasingly prevalent in affluent countries such as Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Within this landscape, Australia has demonstrate...

“If U Don't Pay they will Share the Pics”: Exploring Sextortion in the Context of Romance Fraud

Cross, C.; Holt, K.; O'Malley, RL. (2024) — Scams, Cons, Frauds, and Deceptions

Type: Book Chapter Country: Australia Tags: victim experience, offender tactics, AI misuse

This piece examines “If U Don't Pay they will Share the Pics”: Exploring Sextortion in the Context of Romance Fraud within the broader context of online fraud and mediated communication. It outlines common patterns docum...

“What action should l take?”: Help-seeking behaviours of those targeted by romance fraud

Meikle, W.; Cross, C. (2024) — Journal of Economic Criminology

Type: Journal Article Country: Australia

This catalog-style synopsis summarizes a peer-reviewed article published in the Journal of Economic Criminology, examining help-seeking behaviours among people targeted by romance fraud. The piece surveys how victims res...

Addressing Cyberscams and Acquired Brain Injury (“I Desperately Need to Know What to Do”): Qualitative Exploration of Clinicians’ and Service Providers’ Perspectives

Chew, Kimberly Ann; Ponsford, Jennie; Gould, Kate Rachel (2024) — Journal of Medical Internet Research

Type: Journal Article Country: Australia Tags: victim experience, psychology, AI misuse, prevention Methods: interview

Acquired brain injury can heighten susceptibility to scams due to ongoing cognitive and psychosocial changes following injury. Cyberscams produce financial harm alongside debilitating psychological effects such as shame...

The victimology of online fraud: A focus on romance fraud victimisation

Drew, JM.; Webster, J. (2024) — Journal of Economic Criminology

Type: Journal Article Country: Australia

This article provides a catalog-style overview of victimology in online fraud, with a focus on romance fraud victimisation. Situating online scams within the broader field of economic criminology, the work outlines how v...

Understanding the Nature of the Transnational Scam-Related Fraud: Challenges and Solutions from Vietnam’s Perspective

Luong, Hai Thanh; Ngo, Hieu Minh (2024) — Laws

Type: Journal Article Country: Australia Tags: offender tactics, law enforcement, platform policy, AI misuse, prevention, cross-cultural Methods: secondary data

This piece examines Understanding the Nature of the Transnational Scam-Related Fraud: Challenges and Solutions from Vietnam’s Perspective within the broader context of online fraud and mediated communication. It outlines...