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

Seoung Won Choi, Julak Lee and Yeon-Jun Choi
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Seoung Won Choi: Chung-Ang University, South Korea
Julak Lee: Chung-Ang University, South Korea
Yeon-Jun Choi: Kwangju Women's University, South Korea

International Journal of Cyber Behavior, Psychology and Learning (IJCBPL), 2024, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Romance scams, a prevalent form of cybercrime, have surged globally, with South Korea experiencing a rapid rise. Furthermore, perpetrators have adopted increasingly sophisticated tactics. However, South Korea's unique legal framework and the lack of comprehensive regional studies have led to insufficient preventive measures and responses. This research aims to elucidate the modus operandi of South Korean romance scams and highlight their distinguishing features. By employing crime script analysis and conducting interviews with investigators, this study delineated three pre-crime scripts and thirteen criminal event scripts. The research reveals distinctive features of these scams, including the extensive use of KakaoTalk for romantic communications, the significant influence of South Korean cultural norms on scam operations, and the increasing use of advanced technologies such as deepfakes. These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the unique dynamics of romance scams in South Korea, thus facilitating the development of more effective preventive strategies and responses.

Date: 2024
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International Journal of Cyber Behavior, Psychology and Learning (IJCBPL) is currently edited by Nadia Mansour Bouzaida

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