SCARS Institute Scam Survivor's Community portal banner
SCARS Institute's Encyclopedia of Scams™ RomanceScamsNOW.com Published Continuously for 25 Years

SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years

SCARS Institute - 12 Years of Service to Scam Victims/Survivors

A Look At Online Scammers! What Are They?

Trying To Better Understand Online Criminals!

How Scammer Operate – A SCARS Insight

What Are Online Scammers?

Let’s Look Behind The Label And Try To Understand What Scammers May Be!

An online scammer is an individual who uses the internet to defraud and steal from others. Scammers often use various tactics, such as creating fake websites, sending spam emails, or posing as trusted individuals or organizations in order to trick people into giving them money or sensitive information.

There are many different types of online scams, ranging from phishing attacks and romance scams to investment scams and “Nigerian letter” scams. No matter the specific tactics used, all online scams have one thing in common: they rely on deception and manipulation in order to convince victims to part with their money or sensitive information.

Why Do Online Scammers Steal From Their Victims?

There are a few different reasons that may motivate scammers to engage in this behavior.

  • First, many scammers are driven by greed. They see an opportunity to make money by tricking people into giving them what they want, and they take advantage of it. These scammers may not care about the consequences of their actions, or the damage they cause to their victims.
  • Second, some scammers may be motivated by a sense of power or control. By manipulating and deceiving others, they are able to assert their dominance and feel a sense of control over their victims.
  • Third, some scammers may be motivated by a sense of revenge or anger. They may see themselves as being wronged in some way, and scamming others may be a way for them to get back at the world.
  • Finally, it is worth noting that some scammers may be motivated by a combination of these factors, or by other, more complex motivations.

Regardless of their specific motivations, online scammers can cause significant harm to their victims.

Remember, online scammers, are individuals who use the internet to defraud and steal from others.

They may be motivated by greed, a desire for power or control, a sense of revenge, or a combination of these factors.

How Are Online Scammers Different From Traditional Thieves?

Online scammers and traditional thieves differ in a number of ways.

One key difference is the way they operate. Traditional thieves typically rely on physical means to steal, such as breaking into a home or business, while online scammers use the internet, email, or sometimes phones to defraud and steal from their victims. This might involve creating fake websites, sending spam emails, or posing as trusted individuals or organizations in order to trick people into giving them money or sensitive information.

Another key difference is the level of anonymity that online scammers often have. While traditional thieves may be caught on security cameras or identified through other means, online scammers can often operate from behind a veil of anonymity, making it more difficult to trace their actions and hold them accountable.

Plus, most thieves operate in very short time spans, whereas scammers may stay connected to their victims over weeks, months, or even years!

Finally, the consequences of being caught for online scams and traditional theft differ a lot. Depending on the specific laws in a given jurisdiction, the penalties for online scams may be different from those for traditional theft.

For example, in Nigeria, a thief may get a sentence of 20 years in prison, but an online scammer might get 6 months of community service!

Additionally, the emotional and psychological consequences for the victims of online scams may be quite different from those for traditional theft, as online scams often involve a high level of manipulation and deception that can be especially damaging to the victim.

Overall, while online scammers and traditional thieves both seek to steal from others, they differ in the way they operate and the consequences they may face if caught. It is important for individuals to be aware of the risks and to take steps to protect themselves from both types of theft.

Do Scammers Hate Their Victims?

It is not accurate to say that all scammers hate their victims.

While some scammers may feel a sense of anger or resentment toward their victims, others may not have any strong emotional feelings toward them at all. They may simply see their victims as a means to an end, a way to make money, or achieve some other goal – this is going to be the majority of cases.

That being said, it is important to recognize that online scams can cause significant harm to the victims. In addition to the financial losses that may result from falling victim to a scam, victims may also experience emotional and psychological distress. Their victims feel violated and betrayed and may struggle with feelings of shame and guilt. In some cases, victims may even develop mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD as a result of their experiences.

Do Online Scammers Enjoy Hurting Their Victims?

It is not accurate to say that all online scammers enjoy hurting their victims. While some scammers may feel a sense of satisfaction or enjoyment from defrauding and stealing from others, just as though it was a sport and they are the winners, others may not have any strong emotional feelings towards their victims at all. They may simply see their victims as a means to an end, a way to make money or achieve some other goal.

How Can Online Scammers Continue Their Criminal Activities Year After Year?

Can they do this without being traumatized themselves?

It is difficult to generalize about the motivations and psychological states of all online scammers, as individuals may have different reasons for engaging in this type of criminal activity and may be affected differently by it. However, there are a few factors that may enable some online scammers to continue their criminal activities year after year without being traumatized themselves.

One factor may be a lack of empathy or remorse. Some individuals may not feel remorse or guilt for the harm they cause to their victims, and may be able to continue their criminal activities without feeling traumatized as a result.

Another factor may be a sense of detachment from their victims. Some online scammers may see their victims as abstract entities rather than real people and may be able to compartmentalize their actions in a way that allows them to continue their criminal activities without feeling overwhelmed by the consequences.

Finally, it is worth noting that some online scammers may be motivated by a sense of power or control, and may find a sense of satisfaction in their ability to manipulate and deceive others. This may enable them to continue their criminal activities without feeling traumatized by them.

Overall, it is important to recognize that online scams can cause significant harm to the victims, and that individuals who engage in this type of criminal activity may have complex motivations and psychological states.

Are Online Scammers Really The Narcissistic Monsters That Many Say They Are?

It is not accurate to say that all online scammers are narcissistic monsters. While some scammers may exhibit narcissistic traits, such as a lack of empathy or an exaggerated sense of self-importance, it is important to recognize that individuals who engage in online scams may have a wide range of motivations and psychological states.

For example, some online scammers may be motivated by greed or a desire for power or control. Others may be motivated by a sense of revenge or anger. Still others may be motivated by more complex or personal factors, such as mental health issues or a history of trauma. This is not apologizing for them, but in understanding them it may help their victims release their own anger and eventually forgive the criminals – so necessary for recovery.

It is also worth noting that online scams can cause significant harm to the victims, regardless of the motivations of the scammers.

Overall, it is important to recognize that online scammers are individuals who engage in criminal activity (like any other criminal), and that their motivations and psychological states may vary widely.

Remember

Not all scammers scam for the same reasons.

Some scammers, such as those in Southeast Asia may very well be slaves trapped by criminal cartels and forced to engage in scamming. There are others that do scamming because it is a 9-5 job, who work in offices. Others, such as those that are part of the North Korean military do it for their country!

But regardless of who they are, we are not asking you to excuse what they do. Just to look at them as human beings doing terrible things!

This will make it easier for you to let go and turn away from them and find your own recovery!

Avoiding Scammers

It is important for individuals to be aware of the risks and to take steps to protect themselves from online scams. This might include being cautious when providing personal or financial information online, using strong, unique passwords for all accounts, and being on the lookout for red flags that might indicate a scam.

It is important for individuals to be aware of the risks and to take steps to protect themselves from online scams.

By taking these precautions, individuals can help to protect themselves and reduce the chances of falling victim to a scam.

Consequences For Their Victims

It is important to recognize that online scams can cause significant harm to the victims. In addition to the financial losses that may result from falling victim to a scam, victims may also experience emotional and psychological distress. They may feel violated and betrayed, and may struggle with feelings of shame and guilt. In some cases, victims may even develop mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD as a result of their experiences.

Always Report All Scams – Anywhere In The World To:

Go to reporting.AgainstScams.org to learn how

U.S. FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/?orgcode=SCARS and SCARS at www.Anyscams.com
Visit reporting.AgainstScams.org to learn more!

-/ 30 /-

What do you think about this?
Please share your thoughts in a comment below!

Article Rating

0
(0)

Table of Contents

ARTICLE CATEGORIES

Rapid Report Scammers

SCARS-CDN-REPORT-SCAMEMRS-HERE

Visit SCARS www.Anyscam.com

Quick Reporting

  • Valid Emails Only

  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
    Valid Phone Numbers Only

Subscribe & New Item Updates

In the U.S. & Canada

U.S. & Canada Suicide Lifeline 988

U.S. & Canada Suicide Lifeline 988

RATE THIS ARTICLE?

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

As you found this post useful...

Follow us on social media!

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?

LEAVE A COMMENT?

Your comments help the SCARS Institute better understand all scam victim/survivor experiences and improve our services and processes. Thank you


Thank you for your comment. You may receive an email to follow up. We never share your data with marketers.

Recent Comments
On Other Articles

ARTICLE META

Published On: December 27th, 2022Last Updated: December 27th, 2022Categories: ♦ CRIMINOLOGY / VICTIMOLOGY, 2022, Culture Of Scamming, Insights, ♦ HOW SCAMMERS OPERATETags: , , , , 0 Comments on A Look At Online Scammers! What Are They?1646 words8.2 min readTotal Views: 1376Daily Views: 1

Important Information for New Scam Victims

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.

If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.