Romance Scam Victimization: A Survey-Based Examination of Financial, Psychological, and Reporting Factors

Romance scams aren’t just about money—they’re about trust, silence, and emotional fallout. In this study, 366 U.S. victims of romance scams were surveyed to uncover not only how much they lost, but who they turned to, what help they received, and how it made them feel. The findings reveal a pattern of deep emotional harm, widespread underreporting, and a lack of effective support.

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While most public data comes from formal reports to the FTC or FBI, this research goes further—reaching victims who never reported at all. Recruited through Facebook, respondents provided insight into how scammers operate, how victims respond, and why so many never get the help they need. Many victims relied on friends or family, but those interactions often ended in shame or dismissal. And when formal support was sought, law enforcement and financial institutions consistently ranked as the least helpful.

 

The paper calls for a reimagined response: a centralized, trauma-informed support service equipped to provide not only comfort but cyber defense. With romance scams on the rise—and emotional harm often overshadowing financial loss—this work offers critical insights into how the cyber defense community can bridge the gap between technical detection and human protection.