Current Language EN
English English Türkçe Türkçe Español Español Português Português Pусский Pусский Filipino Filipino Tiếng Việt Tiếng Việt हिन्दी हिन्दी العربية العربية বাংলা বাংলা Deutsch Deutsch 中文 中文
Research Article

DECEITFUL LOVE: A MULTIPLE CASE EXPLORATION OF LOVE SCAMS IN THE WEST PHILIPPINES

233 reads
Jevie B. Ningal , Rowela Cartin-Pecson
SciMatic J Cybersec Digit Forensics, 2026, 1 (1), 1-27, DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23595618, ISSN
Verified on SciChain · token #7977 of SciMatic Articles (ERC-1155, 1,000,000 tokens)
Contract 0x0E596B4b…F05eF8 · mint transaction · verify the record
Proof of record · recorded 2026-10-23 · anchored on SciChain · Verify (opens in a new tab) · record
Peer-review record: 1 review (0 human, 1 AI)

Abstract

This multiple case study aimed at exploring the lived experiences of the Love Scam Victims to understand scammer tactics, emotional and financial impacts to victims, their recovery processes and prevention strategies, with findings aimed at advancing knowledge in cybercrime, victimology, and criminal justice in the Philippines. The study utilized a qualitative research design using multiple case study approach, with five Love Scam Victims chosen purposively for this research. Data were analyzed using both individual case analysis to document individual trajectories and a cross-case analysis to identify common themes and behavioral patterns of victimization across diverse demographic profiles. Results revealed a consistent scam cycle found in every case. Scammers quickly created deep emotional bonds through constant communication. Invented urgent, fake emergencies to demand money while victims fell for the trap, continuing to send money in hopes of saving their relationship or previous investment. The analysis showed that even though the victims were diverse, they all shared a common feeling of loneliness or a major life transition when they were targeted. Most victims did not realize they were being scammed until an external intervention occurs or the scammer suddenly disappeared. The significance of this study lies in its shift away from victim-blaming, instead, highlighting that these scams are done using sophisticated psychological operations that exploit human vulnerability. By mapping these shared behavioral trajectories, this research provides an essential foundation for law enforcement, administrators, and policymakers to develop more effective digital literacy and emotional support programs to address the deep emotional isolation that makes individuals susceptible to these scams.

Keywords: Deceitful Love, Love Scam, Love Scam Victims, Case Exploration, West Philippines

SDG Indicators: #5 (Gender Equality), #8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), #9 (Industry Innovation and Infrastructure), and #16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions)

Keywords Deceitful Love Love Scam Love Scam Victims Case Exploration West Philippines
Authors 2
View Publication Certificate View PDF Cite This Article Back to Archives

The team behind this paper

2 authors, 1 institution.

This paper University of Mindanao University of Mindanao 2 authors Jevie B. Ningal — corresponding author JN Jevie B. Ningal ✉ Rowela Cartin-Pecson RC Rowela Cartin-Pecson

Readership

233 reads over 5 months.

#3 most read in this journal this month
June 2026 October 2026

On SciChain

This article is token #7977 of SciMatic Articles (ERC-1155): 1,000,000 tokens, minted once, never more. The chain also stores a fingerprint (SHA-256) of the article's record, so anyone can check that it has not been altered.

HolderWalletTokens
SciMatic 0xc35709…277732 100,000 (10%)
Jevie B. Ningal 0x372191…74e448 450,000 (45%)
Rowela Cartin-Pecson 0x20Cd13…E4D8e0 450,000 (45%)
Content hash 0xe7b6c1650bcda47cdf633a9ca931bcf1577f62e6a4947850bd6a00a793dadd8f
View on the explorer Verify the record Mint transaction

Bibliographic Information

Jevie B. Ningal, Rowela Cartin-Pecson, (2026). DECEITFUL LOVE: A MULTIPLE CASE EXPLORATION OF LOVE SCAMS IN THE WEST PHILIPPINES, SciMatic Journal of Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics, 1(1): 1-27
Bibtex Citation
@article{jevie_b._ningal2026sjcdf,
author = {Jevie B. Ningal and Rowela Cartin-Pecson},
title = {DECEITFUL LOVE: A MULTIPLE CASE EXPLORATION OF LOVE SCAMS IN THE WEST PHILIPPINES},
journal = {SciMatic Journal of Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics},
year = {2026},
volume = {1},
number = {1},
pages = {1-27},
doi = {10.5281/zenodo.23595618},
url = {https://scimatic.org/show_manuscript/7977}
}
APA Citation
Ningal, J.B., Cartin-Pecson, R., (2026). DECEITFUL LOVE: A MULTIPLE CASE EXPLORATION OF LOVE SCAMS IN THE WEST PHILIPPINES. SciMatic Journal of Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics, 1(1), 1-27. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23595618

Author Information

  • To change your profile photo, login to scimatic.org, go to your profile and change the photo.
  • Provide a face photo, and not full body.
  • It is better to remove the background from your photo. Go to Remove Background and then upload to profile
  • To sign in, go to Sign in and enter the e-mail address registered with the article: we e-mail you a one-time sign-in link (there is no password).
  • In case of any other problem, contact your editor directly or write to us at info @ scimatic.org