Identifying The Red Flags: A Qualitative Study of Students’ Perspective on Cyber Love Scams

Abstract

The usage of the internet particularly among higher education institutions’ (HEIs) students allows them to leverage the internet for academic as well as social purposes. While various objectives academically could be met in terms of academic assessment and research, collaborative learning, and digital resource access, the internet poses few disadvantages to HEIs’ students socially. Reports claimed that younger and educated groups including HEIs’ students are even more prone to becoming victims of cyber love and it is because they have spent time longer with the internet. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the views of HEIs’ students regarding their knowledge, especially on the characteristics identified in love scam criminals.  This study uses qualitative methods and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) to meet the study objectives. Total of 12 HEIs’ students are involves using purposive sampling as the sampling technique and the data gathered is analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that the characteristics of the love scam criminal identified as (i) building trust through apparent concern, (ii) the use of charming language, (iii) emotional manipulation and identity impersonation. This study sheds light from the policy perspective that the need for stronger cybersecurity policies and targeted awareness programs to mitigate online fraud risks. Practically, institutions must integrate digital literacy training and legal frameworks to equip students with preventive measures and support mechanisms against such scams.