Romance Scams Lifecycle Infographic Diagram 2023

A SCARS Analytics Project

How Scams Work – A SCARS Insight

Understanding How Romance Scams Progress Is Important For Victims & Providers Alike

Romance Scams (including Romance/Investment Pig Butchering Scams) Follow A Standardized Model Or Flow

This can help all involved to understand what has happened and where a survivor is in the romance scams lifecycle.

Romance scams typically follow a similar lifecycle that can be broken down into main stages:

Romance Scams: Lure & Grooming

Contact: The scammer initiates contact with the victim through a dating website, social media, or other online platforms. Typically they create a fake profile and use stolen photos to appear more attractive to the victim.
Building trust: The scammer works to build a relationship with the victim, often through flattery and compliments. They may send gifts, messages, and emails to create a false sense of intimacy and trust.

Romance Scams: Manipulation

Manipulation and pressure: Scammers often use emotional manipulation and pressure to coerce victims into sending money. They may create a sense of urgency or threaten to harm the victim or someone they care about if the money is not sent.

Romance Scams: Money Harvesting

Request for money: Once the scammer has built a rapport with the victim, they will begin to ask for money. This may start with small requests for things like phone bills or travel expenses, but the amount and frequency of the requests will gradually increase.

Romance Scams: The End

Disappearance: After the scammer has obtained as much money as they can, they will often just disappear. They may block the victim on social media or stop responding to messages, leaving the victim heartbroken and financially devastated. However, in other cases, the victim will discover the scam and end it themselves.

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SCARS Revised 2023 Romance Scams Lifecycle Infographic Diagram