Unveiling the Patterns of Romance Scams in South Korea: Insights and Implications

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.”

Existing models vary in their focus on specific variants of online romance scams, such as the Sha Zhu Pan scam or specific cultural contexts like South Korea.

“For example, some examine the Sha Zhu Pan scam (“pig-butchering”), which is particularly prevalent in China and Southeast Asia (Wang & Zhou, 2023), while others take a broader approach or zoom in on specific cultural contexts, such as South Korea (Choi et al., 2024).”

Online romance scams often follow a similar pattern.

“Online romance scams often follow a similar pattern (Choi et al., 2024; Shaari et al., 2019; Whitty, 2015).”

Scammers may use the scattergun approach, contacting large numbers of users through mass messages or emails, or by liking a large number of profiles in a short period on dating apps.

“Alternatively, scammers may use the “scattergun approach” (2b), contacting large numbers of users through mass messages or emails (Rege, 2009, 2013), or by liking a large number of profiles in a short period on dating apps (Choi et al., 2024).”

Some romance scam organizations provide detailed scripts or playbooks including specific scenarios and instructions on what the scammer should say or how to respond.

“Some organizations also provide detailed scripts or “playbooks” 3 (1.2b), which include specific scenarios and instructions on what the scammer should say or how to respond (Choi et al., 2024; Huhn, 2023; Yen & Jakobsson, 2016).”

The expanded backstory often serves as the foundation for future financial requests, such as references to family or medical situations.

“This backstory often serves as the foundation for future financial requests, such as references to family or medical situations (Choi et al., 2024; Coluccia et al., 2020; Huhn, 2023).”

When larger amounts are requested, they often involve high costs tied to complex and escalating scenarios, including medical expenses, financial support needs, or investment opportunities where the victim is convinced to invest in a fictitious company-a tactic related to 419 scams and advance fee fraud.

“When larger amounts are requested (6.1b), they often involve high costs tied to complex and escalating scenarios. These may include medical expenses (Anesa, 2020; Dickinson & Wang, 2024), financial support needs (Choi et al., 2024; Smeitink, 2021), or investment opportunities where the victim is convinced to invest in a fictitious company—a tactic related to 419 scams and advance fee fraud (Lazaru”

The scammer may threaten the victim or their loved ones to force additional payments.

“Finally, the scammer may threaten the victim or their loved ones to force additional payments (8c; Choi et al., 2024; Shaari et al., 2019).”