Evolving networks of deception: The case of Ghanaian romance scammers

This study investigates the evolving trajectories of romance fraud offenders in Ghana through a longitudinal qualitative design grounded in actor-network theory. Drawing on interviews with sixteen self-identified scammers conducted over a four-year period, the research traces how individuals enter, sustain, and eventually reconsider their involvement in online deception. Findings reveal that fraud practices are shaped not by isolated motivations but through dynamic assemblages of human and nonhuman actors, including mentors, VPNs, scripts, female voice proxies, and fake documentation. These elements function as obligatory passage points, structuring both access to and continuity within the fraud network. The study also highlights the symbolic role of defunct internet cafés in offender narratives, reflecting the enduring influence of past infrastructures. By reframing romance fraud as a socio-technical and historically situated activity, the research challenges static offender typologies and contributes to a more context-sensitive understanding of cybercrime in West Africa. Implications for theory and policy are discussed.