SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
Author:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
Originally Published: 2019
Article Abstract
Sharing their stories empowers romance scam victims to raise awareness, prevent future scams, provide support, advocate for policy change, and promote personal healing.
By educating others, victims contribute to prevention efforts, offer solace to fellow victims, and advocate for justice.
Ultimately, sharing their experiences helps victims reclaim their voices and foster resilience in the face of adversity.
A Victim’s Story: The Story of a Romance Scam Victim [Video]
The woman in this video is a real scam victim of an online romance scam.
Listen to her story and share this video so others will not feel alone and potentially help others from falling victim. Education is your best defense against scams!
Remember
It was not your fault!
Why it’s Important to Tell Your Story!
Telling one’s story as a romance scam victim is crucial for several reasons:
- Raising Awareness: Sharing personal experiences helps raise awareness about the prevalence and tactics of romance scams. By sharing their stories, victims educate others about the warning signs and red flags to watch out for, empowering them to protect themselves from falling prey to similar schemes.
- Preventing Future Victims: Romance scammers often target vulnerable individuals who may be unaware of the risks. By sharing their stories publicly, victims can help prevent others from becoming victims themselves. Hearing firsthand accounts of the emotional and financial devastation caused by romance scams can serve as a powerful deterrent for potential victims.
- Providing Support: Sharing their experiences can provide support and validation to other victims who may feel alone or ashamed of their situation. Knowing that they are not alone and that others have gone through similar experiences can offer comfort and encouragement to victims as they navigate their recovery journey.
- Advocacy and Policy Change: By speaking out about their experiences, romance scam victims can advocate for policy changes and increased resources to combat romance scams more effectively. Their voices can contribute to legislative efforts aimed at holding scammers accountable and providing support services for victims.
- Personal Healing: Sharing their story can be a cathartic and empowering experience for victims, allowing them to reclaim their voices and regain a sense of control over their narratives. Opening up about their experiences can also help victims process their emotions, heal from their trauma, and move forward with their lives.
Overall, sharing their story can play a vital role in raising awareness, preventing future victims, providing support, advocating for change, and promoting personal healing for romance scam victims.
More Scam Victim Stories:
- Telling Your Story – Especially When It Is Hard [VIDEO] (romancescamsnow.com)
- Sharon Armstrong A Victim’s Story (romancescamsnow.com)
- The Elina Juusola Story (scamsnow.com)
- A Tragic Canadian Romance Scam Victim Story (scamsnow.com)
- Bank Account Takeover Fraud Can Happen To You! A Victim’s Story! (scamsnow.com)
- A Scam Victim Story – Miss L. (romancescamsnow.com)
- Miss P. – A Scam Victim Story (romancescamsnow.com)
- Blanca Arellano – A Murdered Scam Victim’s Story (romancescamsnow.com)
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What do you think about this?
Please share your thoughts in a comment below!
Table of Contents
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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
SCARS Institute articles examine different aspects of the scam victim experience, as well as those who may have been secondary victims. This work focuses on understanding victimization through the science of victimology, including common psychological and behavioral responses. The purpose is to help victims and survivors understand why these crimes occurred, reduce shame and self-blame, strengthen recovery programs and victim opportunities, and lower the risk of future victimization.
At times, these discussions may sound uncomfortable, overwhelming, or may be mistaken for blame. They are not. Scam victims are never blamed. Our goal is to explain the mechanisms of deception and the human responses that scammers exploit, and the processes that occur after the scam ends, so victims can better understand what happened to them and why it felt convincing at the time, and what the path looks like going forward.
Articles that address the psychology, neurology, physiology, and other characteristics of scams and the victim experience recognize that all people share cognitive and emotional traits that can be manipulated under the right conditions. These characteristics are not flaws. They are normal human functions that criminals deliberately exploit. Victims typically have little awareness of these mechanisms while a scam is unfolding and a very limited ability to control them. Awareness often comes only after the harm has occurred.
By explaining these processes, these articles help victims make sense of their experiences, understand common post-scam reactions, and identify ways to protect themselves moving forward. This knowledge supports recovery by replacing confusion and self-blame with clarity, context, and self-compassion.
Additional educational material on these topics is available at ScamPsychology.org – ScamsNOW.com and other SCARS Institute websites.
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.
![A Romance Scam Victim's Story: The Story of a Romance Scam Victim [Video] - 2019/2024 niprc1.png1 150x1501 11](https://scamsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/niprc1.png1_-150x1501-11.webp "A Romance Scam Victim's Story: The Story of a Romance Scam Victim [Video] - 2019/2024 niprc1.png1 150x1501 11")
Oh how this video resonated with me! Although my scammer was an impersonator of a celebrity, the words “soulmates”, “you mean so much to me”, “I have no one to trust; just you!” these words were used on me all the time. They were used to get me to buy gift cards, and more gift cards and more gift cards and then trying to get me to purchase crypto, trying to get me to open a bank account and finally register a limited liability corporation (LLC) in my state so that I could get a federal identification number and open a business checking account to receive all “their” gains from the increase of cryptocurrency after last year’s election (in excess of $8M). These words were used to get me to “perform” for them. I never want to hear them again. I don’t want to be called “babe”, “my queen”, “wife”, “my love” ever again, not even by my husband. Telling our story is very important, not only for ourselves but also to help another woman or even man to avoid this abuse. It is abuse. It needs to stop. My purchases in gift cards, my forwarding cash to “management team members” for my meeting with this celebrity made me a money mule and those team members I sent money to were money mules. This is a crime! When I was told “You are doing so good babe! You are my queen! I need only $80,000 more and I will have enough to escape from my management and live with you for the remainder of my years. I’ll buy you the most gorgeous house! We’ll be so happy, my lovely darling wife!” I “woke up”.
I have been involved in three different cases of relationship fraud.. Two combined fake love with investment fraud. Gold with one that I ended before investing, the other was Bitcoin trading where I was supposedly making huge profits until it all was exposed when I tried to withdraw funds. This is where I suffered significant losses but got out before spending more ‘chasing the money’. The third was solely based on bringing my ‘new love’ to the U.S. so we could live happily ever after. Paid for all her travel expenses, but she never boarded the plane. However she still tried for more money for a variety of reasons but finally gave up when I stopped sending money. If I only knew then what I know now a lot wasted effort and money could have been avoided.