My Parents Expectations Were Overwhelming: Online Dating Romance Scams Targeting Minors in Iran Through Exploitation of Parental Pressure

TL;DR

This study reveals how online dating scams in Iran exploit parental pressure and local cultural norms to target minors, leading to financial and sexual exploitation, highlighting the need for culturally aware interventions.

Contribution

It uncovers the unique mechanisms of romance scams targeting minors in Iran, emphasizing the role of local cultural context and parental pressure in scam vulnerability.

Findings

Scammers use local messaging platforms to target minors.

Parental pressure influences minors' susceptibility to scams.

Victims face financial and sexual exploitation.

Abstract

Minors are at risk of myriad harms online, yet online dating romance scams are seldom considered one of them. While research of romance scams in Western countries finds victims to predominantly be middle-age, it is unknown if minors in geographic regions with cultural norms around teenage marriage are uniquely susceptible to online dating romance scams. We present an interview study with 16 victims of online dating romance scams in Iran who were minors when scammed. Findings show that, with westernized dating apps banned in Iran, scammers find teenage victims through messaging platforms tethered to local neighborhoods, offering relief for parental pressures around finding a marital partner and academic performance. Using threats, lies, and exploitation of emotional attachment lacking from their families, scammers pressured minors into financial and sexual favors. The study demonstrates how local cultural context should be foregrounded in future research on, and solutions for, technology-mediated harm against minors. Content Warning: This paper discusses sexual abuse.