The Romantic Fraud Playbook: Behavioral and Legal Patterns in Affinity-Based Financial Exploitation

This research brief outlines the behavioral, psychological, and legal mechanisms behind romantic fraud and affinity-based financial exploitation. Using case-informed models and public record analysis, the report documents how perpetrators exploit emotional trust to manipulate legal business structures — particularly Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) — in order to obscure involvement, shift liability, and financially harm victims.

Sections include a breakdown of behavioral tactics, structural enablers, legal blind spots, and policy recommendations. Designed for legal researchers, fraud analysts, compliance professionals, and community advocates.