SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
Content Prior to 2016 Has Been Removed
As our organization and website has evolved, we have changed editorial directions.
While this website has been continuously published since 2000, most of the older content did not reflect our goals and editorial direction, and was removed from the website.
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- on How You Think & Talk About Your Scam Affects Your Recovery: “I have hung on to the scams for far too long. With the intervention of an all-merciful God, I have…” Nov 6, 22:13
- on Disengaging From A Fake Scam Relationship: “Taci, you may want to join our new support community at www.SCARScommunity.org” Nov 6, 03:01
- on Disengaging From A Fake Scam Relationship: “This particular article helped me discover the many things I did wrong the first time I was scammed. I should…” Nov 5, 22:49
- on About the SCARS RomanceScamsNOW.com Website – 24 Years Published: “It was unavailable for a few days, but it is available again. If he would be interested, he is welcome…” Nov 5, 00:59
- on About the SCARS RomanceScamsNOW.com Website – 24 Years Published: “My husband has been scammed and your classes have been helping him but now he can’t seem to access them.…” Oct 26, 14:57
- on Talia Shepard – Impersonation Victim – Stolen Photos – 2024: “Hi, I’m Patrick from Belgium and I found this site by chance, so I just got to know it, and…” Oct 17, 23:46
- on Talia Shepard – Impersonation Victim – Stolen Photos – 2024: “Hallo ik ben Patrick uit Belgie en het is in verband over PayPal. Ik heb het dit jaar spijtig genoeg…” Oct 17, 23:08
- on Debt Relief Scams – Catalog of Scams – 2024 UPDATED 2025: “Before you make any decision, stop, think, and ask someone you trust for advice. No matter how difficult your situation…” Oct 9, 07:06
- on Shemar Moore – Stolen Photos – Impersonation Victim – 2024: “KM, sadly, this was available 5 years ago. The is a 25 year old website. Of course, new content is…” Oct 6, 13:27
- on Shemar Moore – Stolen Photos – Impersonation Victim – 2024: “Me too, since 2020. I’ve dealt with a lot of them till now. They’ve completely manipulated me and put me…” Oct 6, 00:48
ARTICLE META
Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- Enroll in FREE SCARS Scam Survivor’s School now at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Note About Labeling!
We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
Statement About Victim Blaming
Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and to not blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims, we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.
These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.
Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this article is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here to go to our ScamsNOW.com website.
Me contactó alguien que se hacía pasar por coronel joohdunar era su nombre de perfil aunque ahora tiene como Raymond Dunbar y si tecleais en Instagram Dunbar,veréis los múltiples perfiles del tipo con fotos robadas de ese real militar felizmente casado y sin hijos menores (en Facebook también tiene múltiples perfiles)
El tipo me decía que estaba en misión en Afganistán esperando contestación de la ONU para su jubilación y regresar con su hijo de cuatro años;decía ser viudo y que perdió a su esposa por el cáncer. En pocos días ya me decía lo muy enamorado que estaba de mi y que cuando se jubilara,le gustaría invertir en mi país (resorts y algún supermercado) Me mando incluso fotos de su supuesta difunta mujer con su supuesto hijo de cuatro años(es escalofriante que usen la imagen de menores para estafar).
A las pocas semanas me dice que está preocupado que le a llegado correo del internado en reino Unido donde está su hijo que no come,que está muy mal y que puede morir y que le reclaman 1500 euros para medicinas y que acude a mi por no tener a nadie más para poder mandarlos por qué los bancos de la ciudad donde está no puede ya que es zona de conflicto. Todo aquello me sonó a mentira por qué afortunadamente yo sabía que el ejército cubre los gastos y los militares y de sus familias(mujer/hijos) estén donde estén ya sea económico o servicio de medicos(osea que no necesitan dinero de nadie ni mentiras de lingotes de oro,pagar certificado de bodas..etc etc todo patrañas) Los militares de verdad no necesitan nada de eso. Cuando me insistió le dije que donde estaba la familia de su “difunta” esposa y se hacía el loco no contestando a igual que cuando le decía que me parecía raro que el ejército no cubriera esa situación delicada(tampoco contestaba y sonaban grillos) Ya me artó y le pregunté que si creía que era estúpida; le dije que era un asqueroso estafador nigeriano y le bloqueé. El tipo debió usar una aplicación para crear número de tlf y ocultar el prefijo que le delatara (en WhatsApp) por qué tenía prefijo de kentaky (me comentaron de la existencia de esas app). Yo no soy una víctima pero si me he topado con ellos . Repito Raymond Dunbar en Facebook e Instagram (veréis las fotos del mismo hombre de unos sesenta años) cuidado y no os dejéis embauca r
Quiero saber sobre Michael Walter así se encuentra en Facebook
Este es el perfil falso de Facebook que usa fellicia hana
Hola conocí a una chica por facebook que se hacía llamar fellicis hana. De repente comenzó a decirme que estaba enamorada de mi y me pidió mi whatsapps.
Hablamos unos días hasta que me pidió si podia enviarle un teléfono celular de alta gama (iPhone 6, samsung s7) comencé a dudar….le dije que le iba a mandar uno si me mandaba fotos de ella ( siempre me daba una excusa para no mandar) me envió tres fotos sólo que en la última se leía al pie de la imagen “janessa brazil.com” (en el perfil de Facebook tiene una foto de janessa brazil).
Entro a google, busco imágenes de jannesa brazil, capturó varias pantallas y se las envió diciéndole que me estaba engañando. Me pide disculpas, diciendo que no era muy linda y no quería perderme y me manda “sus fotos reales” (que de reales no tenían nada) resultó que la de las fotos “reales ” era Raven Riley. Intentó engañarme dos veces pero afortunadamente pude descubrir el engaño. Saludos desde argentina.