Deceptive practices exploiting individuals’ emotions through social media platforms for financial gain constitute a form of fraud. These schemes often involve creating fictitious online personas to cultivate romantic relationships, ultimately manipulating victims into providing money or personal information. For instance, an individual might fabricate an elaborate story requiring urgent financial assistance, preying on the victim’s sympathy and trust.
The significance of addressing these fraudulent activities lies in protecting vulnerable populations from emotional and financial devastation. The proliferation of social media has facilitated the expansion of these schemes, necessitating heightened awareness and preventive measures. Historically, confidence tricks targeting emotions have existed, but their digital manifestation presents unique challenges for detection and prosecution.
