My Parents Expectations Were Overwhelming: Online Dating Romance Scams Targeting Minors in Iran Through Exploitation of Parental Pressure
Sima Amirkhani, Mahla Fatemeh Alizadeh, Dave Randall, Gunnar Stevens, Douglas Zytko
TL;DR
The paper addresses the problem of online dating romance scams targeting minors in Iran, highlighting how cultural norms and parental expectations shape vulnerability. It uses episodic narrative interviews with 16 victims (ages 14–17 at the time of the scam) to map a four-stage anatomy of the scam, from platform-based contact to coercion and post-scam repercussions, analyzed via reflexive thematic analysis. Key contributions include framing minors as a distinct victim group within technology-mediated harm, demonstrating how Iranian cultural dynamics interact with scam strategies, and offering design and policy implications for digital resilience and protection. The study underscores the need for culturally grounded prevention and support mechanisms in socio-technical systems to reduce harm to minors in restrictive online environments.
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.