Exploring individual differences and similarities in online disinhibition, moral disengagement, dissociative experiences, and compliance within the context of online dating fraud

Introduction: Online dating fraud, a callous act of deception, manipulation, and exploitation of unsuspecting victims online, continues to pose a significant risk to society. This study examined the role of online disinhibition (ODE), dissociative symptoms (DSS), the propensity to morally disengage (PMD), catfishing (CQ), and compliance (GCS) in online dating fraud. Methods: Using a web-based survey to collect anonymous data in Qualtrics, 345 respondents (47.1% males and 52.6% females with an average age of 50 years, SD = 17.5) completed the web-based survey. Results: Perpetrators of online dating fraud reported significantly more ODE, DSS, PMD, CQandGCS than nonvictims or victims. ODE,DSS, and PMD were significantly associated with each other and contributed significantly to the variance in reported catfishing; however, above-average annual incomes, male sex, DSS, and ODE contributed to victimhood. Conclusion: Both victims and perpetrators of online dating fraud reported significantly more ODE, DSS, PMD, and catfishing than non victims with less inclination to social desirability. However, compliance did not contribute to victimhood. Future research should repeat this study with larger groups of victims and perpetrators and elucidate the phenomena of victims who become perpetrators, further enhancing our understanding of this complex issue.