SENTIMENTAL FRAUD: CHALLENGES OF CRIMINAL CLASSIFICATION AND THE EFFECTIVE PROTECTION OF THE VICTIM

Abstract

This scientific article aims to discuss a topic that has been widely discussed in newspapers, social media, and even streaming apps: Emotional Fraud. It is widely known that the internet is also used for criminal acts, and one of these acts is fraud. People take advantage of the good intentions or vulnerability of others through romantic promises, leading victims to commit "crazy" acts of love, providing money, loans, jewelry, credit cards, and transfers via Pix (Brazilian instant payment system) under false pretenses. This work will address these issues, providing the reader with a concise understanding of these acts. Furthermore, it seeks to understand how virtual relationships can facilitate this type of crime, analyzing the emotional, financial, and psychological impacts on victims. It will also address the difficulties faced in identifying criminals, as well as the existing legal mechanisms for holding perpetrators accountable and protecting victims in the face of this increasingly frequent practice in contemporary society.