♦ ABOUT SCAMMERS/FRAUDSTERS

RSN™ Website Categories

SCARS Insight Interview: Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. talks with Brett Johnson [VIDEO]

Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. talks with Brett JohnsonBrett Johnson He is a Cybersecurity, Cybercrime, Fraud, and Identity Theft Expert. Keynote Speaker, Consultant, Writer, Podcast Personality. Former USA Most Wanted Cybercriminal, Identity Thief, Hacker, and Original Internet Godfather. He is also an Advisor to SCARS. Brett is one of the top experts in the world on cybercrime, identity theft, fraud, and cybersecurity. His knowledge is unique. His education in cybercrime does not come from a book, he has hands-on training. His knowledge is from the criminal side of things and has an understanding of cybercrime that the majority of people on the planet will never possess. [VIDEO] About ScamsScams A Scam is a confidence trick - a crime -  is an attempt to defraud a person or group after first gaining their trust through deception. Scams or confidence tricks exploit victims using their credulity, naïveté, compassion, vanity, irresponsibility, or greed and exploiting that. Researchers have defined confidence tricks as "a distinctive species of fraudulent conduct ... intending to further voluntary exchanges that are not mutually beneficial", as they "benefit con operators ('con men' - criminals) at the expense of their victims (the 'marks')". A scam is a crime even if no money was lost. & CybercrimesCybercrimes Cybercrime is a crime related to technology, computers, and the Internet. Typical cybercrime are performed by a computer against a computer, or by a hacker using software to attack computers or networks. In Today's World SCARS Insight Interview A New Video from SCARS! A SCARS Insight Interview The World Of Cybercriminals & Scams Is Not What Many Tell You About It is a world of [...]

What Does The FBI’s IC3.gov Actually Do?

What Does The FBIFBI FBI - Federal Bureau of Investigation The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States and its principal federal law enforcement agency. Operating under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Justice, the FBI is also a member of the U.S. Intelligence Community and reports to both the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence. A leading U.S. counter-terrorism, counterintelligence, and criminal investigative organization, the FBI has jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crimes, including financial fraud.'s IC3.gov Actually Do? Helping ScamScam A Scam is a confidence trick - a crime -  is an attempt to defraud a person or group after first gaining their trust through deception. Scams or confidence tricks exploit victims using their credulity, naïveté, compassion, vanity, irresponsibility, or greed and exploiting that. Researchers have defined confidence tricks as "a distinctive species of fraudulent conduct ... intending to further voluntary exchanges that are not mutually beneficial", as they "benefit con operators ('con men' - criminals) at the expense of their victims (the 'marks')". A scam is a crime even if no money was lost. Victims Report These Crimes A SCARS Special Report Originally Published 2018 What Is The FBI's IC3.gov? The FBI's IC3 Accepts Online Internet Crime Complaints From Either The Actual Victim Or From A Third Party To The [...]

The Relationship Scam End Game: The Confession Scam and Other Strategies

The Relationship ScamRelationship Scam A Relationship Scam is a one-to-one criminal act that involves a trust relationship and uses deception & manipulation to get a victim to give to the criminal something of value, such as money! Click here to learn more: What Is A Relationship Scam? End Game: The Confession Scam and Other Strategies How Scammers Try One Last Time And Close Up The Scam A SCARS Insight This information can apply to most types of scams, from Romance Scams, to Lotto Scams, to Government ImpersonationImpersonation An impersonator is someone who imitates or copies the behavior or actions of another. There are many reasons for impersonating someone, such as: part of a criminal act such as identity theft, online impersonation scam, or other fraud. This is usually where the criminal is trying to assume the identity of another, in order to commit fraud, such as accessing confidential information or to gain property not belonging to them. Also known as social engineering and impostors. Scams, to Gransparent Scams, and many [...]

Identify and Stop Scam/Spam Text Messages

Identify and Stop Scam/Spam Text Messages Staying Safe On Your Phone A SCARS Guide Text Message Scams, Phishing Messages, & Spam Texts One Of The Greatest Battlegrounds Of Today's Internet Is On Your Phone! Text and Instant messaging is a growing source of cybercrimeCybercrime Cybercrime is a crime related to technology, computers, and the Internet. Typical cybercrime are performed by a computer against a computer, or by a hacker using software to attack computers or networks. and [...]

What Does It Mean To Be A Scammer?

What Does It Mean To Be A ScammerScammer A Scammer or Fraudster is someone that engages in deception to obtain money or achieve another objective. They are criminals that attempt to deceive a victim into sending more or performing some other activity that benefits the scammer.? This Is Not As Simple As It Sounds! A SCARS Insight So? What Does It Mean? Is this complicated or simple? The dictionary defines "Scammers" as: One who perpetrates a scam, a person who commits or participates [...]

What Is A Relationship Scam? [INFOGRAPHIC]

What Is A Relationship Scam? Understanding Scams InfographicInfographic Infographics (a shortened word of "information" and "graphics") are graphic visual representations of information, data, or knowledge intended to present information quickly and clearly. They can improve your understanding of a topic by utilizing graphics. Infographics have evolved in recent years to be more useful for mass communications and thus are designed with fewer assumptions about the readers' knowledge base than other types of visualizations.! A SCARS Insight A Relationship Scam - Don't You mean A Romance Scam? Nope! The Definition of a Relationship Scam: It is a one-to-one criminalCriminal A criminal is any person who through a decision or act engages in a crime. This can be complicated, as many people break laws unknowingly, however, in our context, it is a person who makes a decision to engage in unlawful acts or to place themselves with others who do this. A criminal always has the ability to decide not to break the law, or if they initially engage in crime to stop doing it, but instead continues. act that involves a trust relationshipTrust Relationship What Is Trust In A Relationship? Trust is the faith you have in someone that they will always remain loyal to you, honest, reliable, or love you. To trust someone means that you can rely on them and are comfortable confiding in them because you feel safe with them. It is the building block for any relationship without which the foundation will always remain shaky. and uses deception & manipulation to [...]

Social Media Safety – Securing Key Accounts

Social Media Safety Securing Key Accounts A SCARS Insight Your Social Media Platforms Staying Safe Online Is No Joke! Social media platforms have become an integral part of online lives. Social networks are a great way to stay connected with others, but you should be [...]

Spam and Phishing – Identity Theft, Fraud And Cybercrime Alert

Spam and Phishing Identity TheftIdentity Theft Identity theft is when someone uses another person's personal identifying information, without their permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. In both the U.K. and the United States it is the theft of personally identifiable information. Identity theft deliberately uses someone else's identity as a method to gain financial advantages or obtain credit and other benefits, and perhaps to cause other person's loss. The person whose identity has been stolen may suffer adverse consequences, especially if they are falsely held responsible for the perpetrator's actions. Personally identifiable information generally includes a person's name, date of birth, social security number, driver's license number, bank account or credit card numbers, PINs, electronic signatures, fingerprints, passwords, or any other information that can be used to access a person's financial resources., FraudFraud In law, fraud is intentional deception to secure unfair or unlawful gain (money or other assets), or to deprive a victim of a legal right. Fraud can violate civil law (e.g., a fraud victim may sue the fraud perpetrator to avoid the fraud or recover monetary compensation) or criminal law (e.g., a fraud perpetrator may be prosecuted and imprisoned by governmental authorities), or it may cause no loss of money, property, or legal right but still be an element of another civil or criminal wrong. The purpose of fraud may be monetary gain or other benefits, for example by obtaining a passport, travel document, or driver's license, or mortgage fraud, where the perpetrator may attempt to qualify for a mortgage by way of false statements. A fraud can also be a hoax, which is a distinct concept that involves deliberate deception without the intention of gain or of materially damaging or depriving a victim., And Cybercrime Alert A SCARS Insight Spam and Phishing Cybercriminals have become quite savvy in their attempts to lure people in and get you to click on a link or open an attachment. More than half of all cyber-attacks [...]

Scams Targeting College and Graduate Students

Scams Targeting College and Graduate Students Students Are Losing Their Tuitions & Savings For Their Education A SCARS Insight Student-Targetted Scams Steal Billions From Young Adults And Their Family Watch Out For Any Social Media Advertising Or People That Want To Help Students Every year [...]

Spotting Fake Identities: A Guide To International Names

Spotting Fake Identities: A Guide To International Names A SCARS Guide A Guide To Help Understand The Form & Construction Of International Names Identification of suspects, victims, and witnesses is critical to effective law enforcement as well as for helping victims or potential victims identify [...]

Diversions – A Scammer’s Manipulative Technique

Diversions - A Scammer's Manipulative Technique Psychology of ScamsPsychology Of Scams Psychology Of Scams is the study of the psychological or emotional effects of scams or financial fraud on victims of these crimes. It helps victims to better understand the impact of scams on them personally or on others. To find the SCARS articles on the Psychology of Scams, use the search option to enter the term and find them. A SCARS Insight Scammer Diversions - Dodging The Bullet! A Diversion is a technique that telemarketers use to control the potential customer on the phone, steering them toward the desired outcome In the case [...]

Crypto-Scams To Avoid In 2021

Crypto-Scams To Avoid In 2021 Cryptocurrency Scams Information Courtesy of Malwarebytes A SCARS Insight Crypto-scams you should be steering clear of in 2021 Cryptocurrency scams are everywhere and victims are constantly falling for them This is one of those areas like stock and [...]

Top Scamming Countries In The World As Of July 2021

Top Scamming Countries In The World As Of July 2021 A SCARS Insight A New Look At The World Of Scamming! As a result of the pandemic, new countries increased their activities and became more dominant at scamming! HERE IS THE SHORTLIST OF [...]

Scam Grooming: Finding Common Interests

Scam GroomingGrooming Grooming is a form of setting up a victim for a scam or other crime by befriending and establishing an emotional connection with the victim, and sometimes the family, to lower the victim's inhibitions with the objective of the scam or criminal activity.  Grooming includes the development of a trust relationship between the criminal and the victim, getting the victims to the point where they can be more completely manipulated.  : Finding Common Interests Scammer Techniques & Methods A SCARS Insight Scammers Know How To Groom You! They Begin To Hook You With Common Interests Scammers Know How To Start A Conversation With You And Spark A Friendship From your religion, hobbies, [...]

Understanding Yahoo Boys Methods

Understanding Yahoo Boys Methods How Scammers Operate A SCARS Insight Yahoo boys – How They Make Billions The Nigerians That We All Call Yahoo Boys Are The More Famous Of The Nigerian Scammers These are the ones that appear in the press and are the [...]

Example Romance Scammer Grooming Language

Example Romance Scammer Grooming Language How Scammers Operate A SCARS Insight Scammers Use Specific Language To Groom Scam Victims Scammers Also Use Deliberately Difficult Language To Hook Certain Kinds Of Victims That May Be More Easily Controlled These are perfect examples of scammer grammarScammer Grammar Scammer Grammar (a term invented by the SCARS Team back in 2012) - is a writing style that is largely very bad English, bad grammar, mixed with West African slang and speech patterns. It is hard to define but easy to recognize when you see it. It is often referred to as Pidgin English, though this is not technically true. This most often shows when individual scammers (even if educated) try to improvise and create new written communications. Do a search on our website for SCAMMER GRAMMAR to find countless examples. It’s [...]

The Insider Threat – The Networks of Scammers

The Insider Threat - The Networks of Scammers A SCARS Insight Did You Become A Target Because Of Your Connections? Scammers Are Very Much Like Telemarketers, They Work Through Lists And Networks Scammers need new prospects just like any mass-marketing company. They work [...]

Understanding The Long Con – The Basic Mechanics Of A Relationship Scam – How Scams Work

How Scams Work: Understanding The Long ConLong con A "long con" or "big con" (also: long game) is a scam type that unfolds over several days or weeks; it may involve a team of swindlers, and even props, sets, extras, costumes, or scripted lines. It aims to rob the victim of huge sums of money or valuables, often by getting them to empty out banking accounts and borrow from family members. A romance scam is a Long Con. The Basic Mechanics Of A Relationship Scam A SCARS Insight What Is A Long Con? Con is derived from "Confidence TrickConfidence trick A Scam is a confidence trick - a crime -  is an attempt to defraud a person or group after first gaining their trust through deception. Scams or confidence tricks exploit victims using their credulity, naïveté, compassion, vanity, irresponsibility, or greed and exploiting that. Researchers have defined confidence tricks as "a distinctive species of fraudulent conduct ... intending to further voluntary exchanges that are not mutually beneficial", as they "benefit con operators ('con men' - criminals) at the expense of their victims (the 'marks')". A scam is a crime even if no money was lost." A "Long Con" Or "Big Con" (Or Long Game) Is A Scam That Unfolds Over Several Days [...]

The Scam Is Over But You Are Still Being Manipulated

The Scam Is Over But You Are Still Being Manipulated A SCARS Psychology of Scams Insight You Were Romance Scammed You discovered the scam and ended it, but you are still being manipulated by the scammer! For some victims, this can go on [...]

Essential Tools For Every Scam SurvivorSurvivor A Scam Survivor is a victim who has been able to fully accept the reality of their situation. That they were the victim of a crime and are not to blame. They are working on their emotional recovery and reduction of any trauma either on their own, through a qualified support organization, or through counseling or therapy. And has done their duty and reported the crime to their local police, national police, and on Anyscam.com From SCARS Publishing

Visit shop.AgainstScams.org

Each is based on our SCARS Team’s 32 plus years of experience.

SCARS Website Visitors get an Extra 10% Discount
Use Discount Code “romanacescamsnow” at Checkout

SCARS GREN BOOK - The SCARS STEPS Guide to Scam Victim Recovery

SCARS GREEN BOOK
Self-Help Self-Paced Recovery Program Guide

LEARN HOW TO RECOVER ON YOUR OWN

This program is designed to help scam victims struggling to recover on their own and for those who want to understand the overall process. You can be using other resources, such as traumaTrauma Emotional and psychological trauma is the result of extraordinarily stressful events that shatter your sense of security, making you feel helpless in a dangerous world. Psychological trauma can leave you struggling with upsetting emotions, memories, and anxiety that won’t go away. It can also leave you feeling numb, disconnected, and unable to trust other people. Traumatic experiences often involve a threat to life or safety or other emotional shocks, but any situation that leaves you feeling overwhelmed and isolated can result in trauma, even if it doesn’t involve physical harm. It’s not the objective circumstances that determine whether an event is traumatic, but your subjective emotional experience of the event. The more frightened and helpless you feel, the more likely you are to be traumatized. Trauma requires treatment, either through counseling or therapy or through trauma-oriented support programs, such as those offered by SCARS. counselingCounseling Counseling is the professional guidance of the individual by utilizing psychological methods especially in collecting case history data, using various techniques of the personal interview, and testing interests and aptitudes. A mental health counselor (MHC), or counselor, is a person who works with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health. Such persons may help individuals deal with issues associated with addiction and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; and aging. They may also work with "Social Workers", "Psychiatrists", and "Psychologists". SCARS does not provide mental health counseling. or therapy, qualified support groupsSupport Groups In a support group, members provide each other with various types of help, usually nonprofessional and nonmaterial, for a particular shared, usually burdensome, characteristic, such as romance scams. Members with the same issues can come together for sharing coping strategies, to feel more empowered and for a sense of community. The help may take the form of providing and evaluating relevant information, relating personal experiences, listening to and accepting others' experiences, providing sympathetic understanding and establishing social networks. A support group may also work to inform the public or engage in advocacy. They can be supervised or not. SCARS support groups are moderated by the SCARS Team and or volunteers., or completely independent – on your own!

The SCARS Steps program is a complete program and is provided for the purpose of helping scam victims to overcome this experience. Throughout this SCARS Steps Program, we speak about issues and challenges that a victim may have and help guide them through their recovery. But each person is different and it is important to understand your own reasons for being vulnerable to being scammed.

After the trauma of being scammed, you need to take steps to recover and move on. This may be an alternative to counseling in the short term, but we still encourage you to seek out professional help & support. Throughout this SCARS Steps Program, we speak about issues, challenges, defects, or problems that a victim may have in a generalized way.

The SCARS GREEN BOOK will help you recover from your scam offline and it will always be there when you need it!

Get it here

SCARS SLATE BOOK - A Guide For Families & Friends Of Scam Victims

SCARS SLATE BOOK – Let Us Explain What Happened!

A Guide For Families & Friends Of Scam Victims

HOW TO HELP ROMANCE SCAM VICTIMS FOR FAMILIES & FRIENDS OF SCAM VICTIMS

This SCARS Publishing book represents a complete guide to help the families and friends understand how these scams work and how to help the victim.

The SCARS Slate Book should be purchased by family and friends to better understand what happened to the victim and the traumatic impact on them. But it can also be shared by the victim so that they do not have to explain to family and friends about the scam. This publication is to help others to help Scam Victims to make it through this traumatic experience and recover.

Each person is different and it is important to understand how relationship scamsRelationship Scam A Relationship Scam is a one-to-one criminal act that involves a trust relationship and uses deception & manipulation to get a victim to give to the criminal something of value, such as money! Click here to learn more: What Is A Relationship Scam? work and why people are vulnerable; to being scammed, how they were lured in, then groomed and manipulated. This understanding is essential in helping them through the process of ending the scam and then on to recovery. The SCARS Slate Book will provide the information necessary to help support a victim through this process.

Get it here

SCARS RED BOOK - Your Personal Scam Evidence & Crime Record Organizer

SCARS RED BOOK
Your Personal Scam Evidence & Crime Record Organizer

ORGANIZE YOUR INFORMATION TO MAKE THE REPORTING PROCESS SIMPLE!

Helps you get and stay organized. This publication is to help Scam Victims organize their crime information. Complete this information before reporting to the police then bring this book with you

Before or after reporting to the police the RED BOOK gives you a dedicated tool to record all the essential facts of this crime. The Victim, the Scammers, the Money, and your Police interactions. Everything that really matters can be easily recorded for your immediate use and for the future!

As we have seen, money recovery/repayment programs can become available years after the scam ends and you need to keep all the details of this crime in case it is needed. We have also seen scammers being extradited to the U.S. and other countries, this will help in the event you testify or give statements, Additionally, this helps you have your information ready to qualify for victims’ benefits, compensation, or aid.

The Official SCARS RED BOOK is your way of recording all the important facts of this crime so that you do not lose essential information, Complete the RED BOOK then put it away with the confidence that you will have it if or when it is needed.

Get it here

SCARS BLUE BOOK - Survivor's Recovery Journal
SCARS LIME BOOK - Wisdom & Motivation for Scam Victims
SCARS CHERRY BOOK - A Guide To Understanding Your Fear
SCARS WORKBOOK - 8 Steps To Improvement
SCARS WORKBOOK - Understanding Self-Blame, Guilt, and Shame
100% of all profit goes to support FREE Scam Victims' Services

See all our books and motivational gifts for scam victims at Shop.AgainstScams.org

100% of all profit goes to help SCARS help more scam victims worldwide.

Your generous purchase allows us to maintain our scam avoidance, support, and recovery services. Please help SCARS and stand proud.