By Leonard Sabu
LOVE scams or romance scams have become a persistent and growing form of cybercrime in Malaysia. Despite efforts by law enforcement and non-governmental organisations like the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF), these scams continue to deceive countless victims. Scammers typically prey on emotions such as loneliness, vulnerability and the desire for companionship.
They use emotional manipulation, false promises and fabricated identities to exploit individuals, leaving them financially and emotionally devastated.
This section delves into why love scams persist, highlighting the psychological factors, the ease with which individuals are manipulated and the difficulty in recovering lost funds.
1.Too Real to Be True – The Illusion of Genuine Love
The primary reason why love scams continue to deceive victims is the convincing nature of the fraud. Scammers create false identities that appear genuine, presenting themselves as ideal partners. They often use social media platforms, dating websites or even messaging apps to form deep emotional connections with their victims.
- Fabricated Identities: Scammers often pose as attractive, successful and caring individuals, sometimes even creating fake profiles with stolen images of attractive people. The idea is to present themselves as someone who understands the victim’s needs and desires, making the connection feel very real.
- Emotional Manipulation: Scammers invest time in building emotional rapport with their victims. They make the victim feel special, heard and valued. The conversations often involve compliments, sweet words and promises of plans. This emotional bond makes it much harder for the victim to see the scam for what it is.
Why it matters: When people become emotionally invested in someone they believe to be real, they become more vulnerable to manipulation. The emotional attachment overrides logical thinking, causing victims to ignore red flags and fall deeper into the scam.
2. People Are Too Trusting, Lacking Scepticism
A major reason why love scams continue to thrive is that people, especially those seeking companionship or validation, tend to trust easily. Scammers exploit this trust by posing as individuals who genuinely care about their victims.
- Failure to Seek Second Opinions: Many victims of love scams never consult their friends, family or trusted organisations like MCPF before getting involved with someone online. This lack of a second opinion makes them easy targets for scammers, who often create false emergencies or requests for money that can appear legitimate in the context of an online relationship.
- Psychological Isolation: For many individuals, particularly retirees, housewives and those feeling lonely, online relationships can feel more secure than face-to-face interactions. Scammers use this emotional vulnerability to their advantage, creating a sense of closeness and intimacy that may be lacking in the victim’s real life.
Why it matters: Failure to verify information or seek advice from trusted sources increases the likelihood of falling victim to these scams. Educating people to be more cautious and sceptical of online relationships is essential.
3. The Role of Loneliness and Emotional Needs
Many individuals who fall victim to love scams are often dealing with loneliness, emotional needs or unfulfilled relationships. Scammers target these vulnerable individuals, providing them with the emotional validation they crave.
- Loneliness as a Key Factor: People who are lonely or going through emotional hardship are more likely to seek comfort and affection from someone online. Scammers know this and exploit these emotions by creating a relationship that feels fulfilling and genuine, only to later manipulate the victim into sending money or valuables.
- Desire for Excitement: For some, the online relationship provides an escape from the monotony of daily life. The thrill of talking to someone “new” and “exciting” can cloud the victim’s judgement, making them more susceptible to the scammer’s advances.
Why it matters: The emotional vulnerability of individuals seeking love or attention online creates an environment where scammers can easily manipulate and exploit their emotions. Addressing the root causes of loneliness and emotional isolation, while promoting healthy relationships offline, can help reduce the appeal of these scams.
4. Targeting Vulnerable Demographics
Love scams often focus on individuals who are emotionally vulnerable or financially insecure. This includes groups such as retirees, housewives, professionals like doctors, teachers and even individuals in high-profile positions like politicians and bankers.
- Vulnerable Groups: Retirees, housewives and professionals who may not be as familiar with the dangers of online relationships are frequently targeted. These individuals may have disposable income or savings, which makes them an attractive target for scammers. Additionally, older individuals may not be as tech-savvy, making them less likely to recognise the warning signs of a scam.
- Emotional and Financial Manipulation: Scammers may also target professionals, knowing that they are often highly trusted and respected in their communities. Scammers will use flattery and psychological manipulation to exploit these individuals’ insecurities, leading them to make significant financial sacrifices for someone they’ve never met.
Why it matters: Vulnerable groups, especially those who are less familiar with online safety and fraud prevention, are at greater risk. Scammers tailor their approach based on the perceived emotional and financial vulnerabilities of their targets.
5. Fear of Exposure and Lack of Reporting
Many victims of love scams, particularly those in committed relationships, are hesitant to report the crime due to fear of exposure or embarrassment. They may not want their spouses or families to know about their online romantic involvement, leading to a lack of reporting and increased victimisation.
- Embarrassment and Shame: Victims often feel ashamed that they were tricked and may be reluctant to come forward because they fear being judged. Some victims may also fear that their spouses or loved ones will find out about their online interactions, leading them to hide their victimisation.
- Loss of Trust: For victims who are married or in committed relationships, the emotional betrayal may feel as damaging as the financial loss. This can deter them from reporting the crime, as they may worry about the consequences in their relationships.
Why it matters: Non-reporting contributes to the persistence of love scams. When victims keep quiet about their experiences, the scams continue unchecked. Encouraging victims to come forward and report their experiences can help law enforcement prevent future scams and provide support to the victims.
6. The Difficulty of Recovering Lost Funds
In most love scams, once the money is sent, it is nearly impossible to recover. Scammers can evade authorities and recover lost funds easily due to the anonymity of the internet and the utilisation of untraceable payment methods like cryptocurrency or international bank transfers.
- Scam Networks: Many love scams are orchestrated by well-organised criminal networks that operate across borders. These networks are difficult to dismantle due to the lack of jurisdictional cooperation and the sophisticated means used to hide the scam’s true origins.
- Lack of Legal Recourse: Even if the victim reports the crime, legal action against international scammers is often slow or non-existent due to jurisdictional issues. This lack of legal recourse makes recovery of lost funds highly unlikely.
Why it matters: The impossibility of recovering lost funds further discourages reporting and provides scammers with a sense of impunity. Victims may feel helpless, and the lack of accountability for perpetrators allows these scams to continue.
7. “Are They That Desperate?” – The False Narrative of Desperation
One of the most critical questions that arises in the context of love scams is, “Why would someone, especially an attractive person, fall for a scam?” The narrative of desperation often doesn’t align with reality. Many victims, including those who are professionals or high-status individuals, are not desperate for relationships but may simply be seeking attention, validation or excitement.
- Appeal of Flattery: Scammers often target those who have an attractive profile or status, knowing they will be surrounded by admirers in real life. However, the constant attention and flattery from a stranger online can be alluring, even for those who are not desperate for a partner. Scammers know how to exploit these emotional triggers.
- The Need for Sweet Words and Compliments: Many people, especially women, are susceptible to sweet talk and flattery. Scammers use this emotional appeal to hook their victims, leading them to believe they are being courted by someone who genuinely cares about them.
Why it matters: People are often driven to seek validation and emotional connection, making them susceptible to manipulation. While the idea of “desperation” might not fully explain the phenomenon, it highlights the emotional vulnerabilities that scammers exploit.
Love scams continue to plague Malaysia because of the psychological manipulation and emotional vulnerability of victims. Scammers exploit loneliness, isolation and the need for attention, creating convincing personas that lure victims into false relationships. The easy trust exhibited by many individuals, coupled with the difficulty of recovering lost funds, allows these scams to persist despite numerous public awareness campaigns.
To prevent love scams, it is essential to raise awareness about emotional manipulation, promote online safety practices, encourage reporting and foster a more sceptical mindset toward online relationships. By educating individuals, particularly the most vulnerable populations, we can reduce the impact of love scams and protect more people from falling victim.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune.
