Sammanfattning
Online fraud, particularly romance fraud, has sharply increased in Sweden recently. This type of fraud causes emotional and financial harm to victims and has only been officially recognised as a crime in Sweden since 2020. Despite significant economic losses, few cases are investigated or prosecuted. However, Swedish news media have started to highlight this issue. This study examines how Swedish news media portray romance fraud, its victims, and its perpetrators. It represents the first stage of a planned mixed-methods research project on romance fraud in Sweden. The broader project will investigate the phenomenon through media analysis, interviews, and surveys, exploring these crimes and their victims, perpetrators, public attitudes, and legal processes.
Our findings from this first stage reveal key trends in media portrayals. Victims are often characterised as naïve and emotionally vulnerable, while perpetrators are depicted as manipulative and financially driven. Loneliness is consistently identified as a vulnerability factor. Given the rise in romance fraud, limited public awareness, minimal legal response, and scarce academic attention, this research highlights the need for further studies and greater societal focus on this pressing issue.
Our findings from this first stage reveal key trends in media portrayals. Victims are often characterised as naïve and emotionally vulnerable, while perpetrators are depicted as manipulative and financially driven. Loneliness is consistently identified as a vulnerability factor. Given the rise in romance fraud, limited public awareness, minimal legal response, and scarce academic attention, this research highlights the need for further studies and greater societal focus on this pressing issue.
| Originalspråk | Engelska |
|---|---|
| Status | Publicerad - 2025-juni-19 |
| Evenemang | 14th Counter Fraud, Cybercrime and Forensic Accounting Conference - Centre for Cybercrime and Economic Crime, University of Portsmouth, Richmond Building, Portland Street, Portsmouth PO1 3DF, Portsmouth, Storbritannien Varaktighet: 2025-juni-18 → 2025-juni-19 https://www.port.ac.uk/news-events-and-blogs/events/14th-counter-fraud-cybercrime-and-forensic-accounting-conference |
Konferens
| Konferens | 14th Counter Fraud, Cybercrime and Forensic Accounting Conference |
|---|---|
| Land/Territorium | Storbritannien |
| Ort | Portsmouth |
| Period | 25-06-18 → 25-06-19 |
| Internetadress |
Nationell ämneskategori
- Juridik (505)
FN:s SDG:er
Detta resultat bidrar till följande hållbara utvecklingsmål:
