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This paper aims to examine predictors (personality, belief systems, expertise and response time) of detecting online romance scams.

The online study asked 261 participants to rate whether a profile was a scam or a genuine profile. Participants were also asked to complete a personality inventory, belief scales and demographic, descriptive questions. The online study was also designed to measure response time.

It was found that those who scored low in romantic beliefs, high in impulsivity, high in consideration of future consequences, had previously spotted a romance scam and took longer response times were more likely to accurately distinguish scams from genuine profiles. Notably, the research also found that it was difficult to detect scams. The research also found that it was important to adapt Whitty’s (2013) “Scammers Persuasive Techniques Model” to include a stage named: “human detection of scam versus genuine profiles”.

This is the first study, to the author’s knowledge, that examines predictors of human accuracy in detecting romance scams. Dating sites and government e-safety sites might draw upon these findings to help improve human detection and protect users from this financial and psychologically harmful cyberscam.

The purpose of this paper is to gain in-depth understandings of the stages involved in the case of a romance scam victim who was unknowingly used as a drug mule. The work compares this case with established research in this field. It also seeks to learn more about the strategies used by these cybercriminals.

The research presents a case study of a victim of a romance scam who was arrested for drug trafficking. The research involves a grounded theory analysis of interviews with the victim, legal team and family members and analysis of her instant messenger chat logs and email communications.

The analysis identified a variation on previous stage models of romance scams and re-names this as the “romance scammers” strategy model. It also replicates previous work on scammers’ techniques and highlights some new strategies, including positively and negatively framing messages, unconditional positive regard, activating norms of romantic relationships, cognitive immersion, manipulating role, sleep deprivation and signing is believing.

These findings could be used to help guide future similar court cases. Moreover, they can be drawn upon to advance future research on romance scams, as well as scams in general.

This is the first in-depth case study of a romance scam victim involved in drug trafficking and is the first research on romance scams to examine in depth a case, taking into account textual exchanges. While not undermining previous research, this paper provides valuable insights that are lacking in previous qualitative work on cyber scam victims.

Jamaica continues to experience financial crimes particularly in cyberspace including e-fraud, identity theft, credit card forging, money laundering and terrorist activities. Spoofing, spamming, virus propagation, spear phishing, buffer overflow and denial of service continue to be weaknesses found in organization’s cybersecurity in Jamaica. With the emergence of cryptocurrency and digital currency it is important that Jamaica uses intelligence led policing and data analysis to reduce and prevent financial crimes such as money laundering and corruption proceeds.

Literature review; review of domestic legislation; review of current matters in courts.

Cybersecurity is no longer a pure computer security issue but instead, cybersecurity is seen as a national policy matter because the illicit use of cyberspace could have a significant impact on the financial sector in Jamaica. Cyberattacks have been successfully targeting the financial sector worldwide. While much of the efforts and resources to address the risk imposed by these cyberattacks are directed at developed economies, far less attention has been devoted to developing nations. Because many of these nations such as Jamaica have modest cyber capabilities, their ability to respond to cyberattacks can be limited, yet they need to respond to these attacks to protect their critical financial infrastructure.

There are few scholarly articles that focus on cybersecurity issues and legislation in Jamaica.

This study aims to investigate the effects of financial literacy, financial behaviour and financial stress on awareness of investment scams among retirees.

Using a questionnaire survey, data was distributed to 200 retirees. A total of 53 responses were obtained. The data was subsequently analysed using PLS-SEM version 3 software.

Findings indicated that while financial literacy has a significant influence on awareness, there is no conclusive evidence to support the relationship between financial behaviour and financial stress on awareness. These results highlighted the critical need to strengthen financial literacy among retirees as a prevention mechanism for them to avoid from being scammed.

The finding from this study is relevant to regulators and law enforcement agencies to aid potential and actual retirees by educating them on the danger of investment scams.

As there are relatively few studies conducted on investment scams specifically among retirees, this study extends the investment scam literature by examining the underlying factors that affect their awareness towards the fraudulent activities.

This research seeks to examine the regulation of practices that promote brand interest. Its goal is to develop a comprehensive conceptual framework of such practices.

A comprehensive search of US marketing laws and regulations was conducted to find cases and regulations pertaining to practices that promote consumer interest in a particular brand. These practices were then arranged into categories by their method of influencing consumer behavior.

The 3Cs approach appears to provide a useful conceptual model for consumer brand managers. This model allows managers to consider the applicable case law and regulations for each type of practice.

The conceptual model developed here is the first of its kind. It provides a useful tool for consumer brand managers who are considering various practices to promote brand interest. It helps brand managers evaluate the legal risks of the various practices they are considering.

This study aims to examine the relationship between budgeting skills and financial goals and the level of awareness of investment scams among university students.

An online survey was administered to university students in Malaysia. A total of 211 responses were received. The data was analysed using partial least square method based on structural equation modelling technique by using SmartPLS-3.0 and SPSS-20 statistical software.

Findings indicated that having adequate budgeting skills can significantly affect awareness of investment scam among students. This implies that early financial management education among students should focus on instilling disciplined budgeting habit to prevent them from becoming victims of investment scams. Nevertheless, when examining financial goals among the respondents, the study found that having a clear financial goal does not significantly contribute to their awareness in identifying investment scams. As such, students need to be properly guided in setting their financial objectives such as avoiding unrealistic goals to lead a luxurious lifestyle using “fast and easy” money.

This study recommends that higher education institutions need to work together with relevant regulators and law enforcers in providing necessary financial literacy education as part of the investment scam prevention measures.

This study contributes to the literature gap on the need to focus on financial literacy in creating awareness towards investment scams among university students.