How Do Real Cybercrime Syndicates Operate?: The Case of Online Romance Fraud Syndicates

Most existing process models assume a linear sequence of events.

“In addition, most models assume a linear sequence (e.g., Andoh-Baidoo et al., 2024; Choi et al., 2024; Whitty, 2013, 2019), assuming a fixed order of events.”

Operational structures are treated differently in existing models: some consider individual offenders, while others focus on organized networks.

“Operational structures are also treated differently: some studies consider individual offenders (Whitty, 2013, 2015), while others focus on organized networks (Andoh-Baidoo et al., 2024; Wang & Zhou, 2023).”

Only some existing models address the technologies used by scammers, while other models ignore these altogether.

“Another example is that only some models address the technologies used by scammers (Andoh-Baidoo et al., 2024), while other models ignore these altogether.”

Initial contact occurs through online games.

“and even through online games (3e; Andoh-Baidoo et al., 2024).”

Initial contact occurs via online dating apps such as Tinder, eHarmony and OKCupid.

“Initial contact occurs via various channels: online dating apps (3a) such as Tinder, eHarmony and OKCupid (e.g., Andoh-Baidoo et al., 2024; Archer, 2017; Cross et al., 2018; Kamaruddin et al., 2020);”

In some cases, the victim is actively involved in the laundering process, for example, by forwarding money to other accounts on behalf of the scammer, or by emptying their own bank accounts and converting the funds into cash or property.

“In some cases, the victim is actively involved in the laundering process, for example, by forwarding money to other accounts on behalf of the scammer (Andoh-Baidoo et al., 2024; Huhn, 2023), or by emptying their own bank accounts and converting the funds into cash or property (Huhn, 2023).”