Or what it isn’t…

Romance fraud is not a victim who gives their money away willingly. There is always emotional manipulation and coercion to make the victim seemingly complicit and compliant.

While ‘sextortion’ can be part of romance fraud, its introduction into the scenario created by the criminal and the speed at which this occurs is very different to the stand alone ‘sextortion’ cases we see. The blackmail element of this will rarely occur until the end of the fraud, many months down the line when the criminal is having one last attempt to intimidate the victim into sending more money. Typical stand alone sextortion cases will occur over a 24-48 hour period.

What is Romance Fraud?

Romance fraud is a deeply manipulative crime where perpetrators use powerful emotional tactics to create a fake reality around their victims. Through intense love, trust, and devotion, fraudsters construct an immersive theatre of deception, making victims emotionally invested in a relationship that doesn’t truly exist. This manipulation makes victims compliant and even seemingly complicit in the fraud, despite being the ones deceived and exploited.

The impact of romance fraud extends far beyond financial loss. The emotional trauma is profound—victims not only lose money but also experience a deep betrayal of trust, both in others and in themselves. The loss of what feels like the most intense relationship of their lives can be devastating, leading to long-term psychological effects such as shame, grief, and identity crisis.

Recovery from romance fraud is a long journey. Ensuring that victims experience as little additional stress as possible is crucial to their healing. Providing compassionate support, reducing blame, and offering clear guidance can help victims rebuild their lives and regain their sense of trust and self-worth.