Romance Scam Victimization

LD Herrera
Dakota State University

DOI: 10.1109/ISDFS65363.2025.11012081

This study listens to 366 victims and makes visible what official loss totals cannot: shame, isolation, informal disclosure, underreporting, psychological distress, and the fragile moment when someone decides whether to ask for help.

The findings show that many victims never seek help from any source, and that those who rely only on informal support are less likely to engage formal reporting systems. The work points toward better victim assistance, more useful formal institutions, and a support model that treats emotional recovery and cyber response as connected problems.

View at DSU Repository