Sarah Lin, CFE
Sarah is a Certified Fraud Examiner and forensic psychologist who has spent over 8 years investigating the emotional manipulation timelines and cognitive biases leveraged by online catfishes. She publishes on romance fraud trauma, love-bombing indicators, and safety strategies for senior dating.
Published Articles by Sarah Lin, CFE
Scammers Using Stolen Photos: How to Spot the Deception
Scammers use stolen photos to deceive. Learn how they get them, why they use them, and crucial tips to spot fake profiles. Protect yourself from online deception.
Deepfake Video Calls: Spotting Scams on Dating Apps
Deepfake video calls are a new threat on dating apps, making scammers appear real. Learn how to spot these deceptive fakes and protect yourself from online fraud.
Catfished Recovery: Healing Emotional Scars & Rebuilding Trust
Being catfished is a painful experience. Learn to navigate the emotional aftermath, process betrayal, and begin your recovery journey, rebuilding trust and finding resilience.
Sugar Daddy Scams: How to Spot & Avoid Online Fraud
Unmasking sugar daddy/mommy scams on social media. Learn how these cons work, spot red flags, and protect your finances and heart from online fraud.
Romance Scams: The Manipulative Timeline They Follow to Trick You
Uncover the predictable timeline romance scammers use to manipulate emotions, build trust, and ultimately ask for money. Learn to spot red flags and protect yourself.
Phone Number Clues: Unmasking Scammers' True Location
Discover how a scammer's phone number can reveal their true location, helping you spot lies and stay safe. Learn to identify red flags and protect yourself from online fraud.
Cross-Border Romance Scams: Why Catching Them is So Hard
Cross-border romance scams are incredibly difficult to fight due to international laws and jurisdiction. Learn why these fraudsters exploit global gaps and how to protect yourself.
Romance Scams: Social Engineering to Gather Personal Intel
Romance scammers use social engineering to trick victims into sharing personal info. Learn their tactics, common questions, and how to protect yourself from manipulative romance scams.
Why Romance Scam Victims Send Money: Cognitive Bias Explained
Romance scam victims often send money despite red flags due to clever emotional manipulation and cognitive biases. Learn how scammers exploit human psychology.
Love-Bombing: Recognize This Manipulative Tactic Online
Love-bombing is a manipulative tactic where intense affection is used to control. Learn to recognize its signs to protect your heart and avoid online scams.
Romance Scams: How Scammers Use Messaging Apps to Deceive
Discover how romance scammers exploit WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal's privacy to manipulate victims. Learn their tactics and protect your heart and wallet from these online dating scams.
Deepfake Video Calls: New Danger in Dating App Scams
Scammers use deepfake video calls to trick dating app users. Learn to spot these convincing fakes and protect yourself from advanced online dating scams.
Scammers' Secret: How VPNs & Proxies Hide Their Location
Scammers use VPNs and proxies to hide their true location, making it harder to catch them. Learn how these tools are misused and protect yourself online.
Love-Bombing: Why It Works & How to Recognize This Tactic
Love-bombing is a manipulative tactic where intense affection is used to gain control. Learn its psychology, clear signs, and how to protect yourself from this online scam.
Romance Scams: Why Victims Send Money Despite Red Flags
Romance scam victims often send money despite clear red flags. Scammers exploit human emotions and cognitive biases, making it hard to see the deception.
Travel Scams: When Your Online Partner Needs Money to Visit
Online relationships are great, but beware of travel scams. If your online partner asks for money for travel or visas, it's a major red flag. Learn to protect your heart and wallet.
Pig Butchering Scams: How Romance Fraud Steals Your Money
Unmasking pig butchering scams, a cruel romance fraud where scammers build trust then trick you into fake investments. Learn to protect your finances.
Romance Scams: Why Scammers Love Messaging Apps
Discover why romance scammers exploit WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal's privacy features. Learn their tricks, red flags, and how to protect yourself from these deceptive schemes.
Understanding Online Scams: Protecting Your Digital Identity
Learn how to identify common online scams and protect yourself from digital threats. This guide provides essential tips for staying safe in the online world.
Scammers Avoid Video Calls: Your Top Detection Tool Against Fraud
Discover why scammers avoid video calls and how this crucial red flag can protect you from online fraud. Learn their excuses and use this powerful tool to stay safe.
Romance Scams & Money Laundering: The Hidden Dangers
Uncover the hidden link between romance scams and money laundering. Learn to spot the signs, protect yourself from becoming a money mule, and secure your finances.
Scammers Use Social Engineering to Get Your Personal Data
Discover how cunning scammers use social engineering and psychological tricks to gather your personal information online. Learn to protect your heart and wallet from these deceptive tactics.
Romance Scams: Safeguard Your Heart and Money Online
Discover how romance scammers target older adults, build trust, and exploit emotions for money. Learn to spot red flags and protect your finances and heart from online fraud.
Cryptocurrency Romance Scams: Love, Lies, and Digital Theft
Learn how cryptocurrency romance scams exploit emotions for financial gain. Discover red flags, scammer tactics, and essential tips to protect your heart and money online.
Deepfake Video Calls: Spotting Scams in Online Dating
Deepfake video calls are a new scam tricking online daters. Learn how to spot these convincing digital disguises and protect your heart and wallet from scammers.
Burner Phones & Romance Fraud: Scammers' Secret Weapon
Discover how scammers use burner phones and disposable numbers to hide their identity in romance fraud. Learn to spot red flags and protect yourself from these deceptive tactics.
Detect AI-Generated Photos: Spot Fakes on Dating Apps
AI-generated photos are a growing concern on dating apps. Learn how to spot these fake images and protect yourself from online scams with our expert guide.
Spot AI-Generated Photos: Protect Yourself from Online Scams
Learn to spot AI-generated photos used by scammers on dating apps and social media. Protect your heart and money by identifying fake profile pictures and staying safe online.
Romance Scam Victims: Why They Ignore Red Flags & Send Money
Ever wonder why romance scam victims send money despite clear red flags? Discover how scammers exploit cognitive biases and human needs, making it hard to see the truth.
Romance Scammers: Understanding Their Manipulation Timeline
Romance scammers use a detailed emotional manipulation timeline to trick victims. Learn their step-by-step plan to build trust, create fake emergencies, and steal money. Protect yourself by understanding their tactics.