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SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
Catch A Scammer By Their Photos
A SCARS Anti-Scam Tip
You Know Scammers Steal Photos Right?
But Did You Know That There Is Hidden Data In Most Photos?
In almost all photos taken with digital cameras, assuming that it is not a screen-grab but the original photo, there is something called “EXIF” data or MetaData embedded in the photo data file.
NOTE: there are a couple of important exceptions to this:
- Where the scammer does a screen capture or grab of a photo from the screen
- Photos processed and published by Facebook and other social media that change/replace the files
- These images may have no embedded data that you can use – but it is worth looking, just in case
You Can Use This Data To Tell Something About The Photo
There are several FREE online tools that can display this data, simply by uploading a photo into a tool. If it is an original photo directly from the camera that data will be there.
Free Exif Data Display Websites:
You can also search on Google for “EXIF Viewer” to find more.
In these cases, you upload the photo/image file and it will tell you what is found.
There Are Also Extensions For Your Web Browser:
- For Chrome: Chrome Web Store – exif viewer (google.com) search for EXIF
- Use the Browsers Extension library for other browsers to search for “EXIF” to see what is available
An Example Of Exif/MetaData:
EXIF Generated Data
EXIF Data Generated Map – this comes from the GPS Information Stored In The Photo.
EXIF Metadata
With Metadata, you can see what camera took the photo, where it was taken, and when it was taken.
If you receive a photo and if it is not an original photo – meaning that it was edited or resized, ask why they would do that? This can help you quickly spot a scammer or a fake.
TIP: always ask a potential romantic partner to send you a photo from their phone’s camera – which WILL be full of EXIF data – including where the photo was taken!
The EXIF data will even tell you which editor it was done in. If there is no data, that too is a clue, meaning it was probably copied from the screen.
Every bit of information helps you make an informed decision about the person you are connected with.
TAGS: SCARS, Information About Scams, Anti-Scam, Scams, Scammers, Fraudsters, Cybercrime, Crybercriminals, Romance Scams, Scam Victims, Online Fraud, Online Crime Is Real Crime, Scam Avoidance, Married Scam Victims, Internet Infidelity, Scam Victim Divorce
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By the SCARS™ Editorial Team
Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
A Worldwide Crime Victims Assistance & Crime Prevention Nonprofit Organization Headquartered In Miami Florida USA & Monterrey NL Mexico, with Partners In More Than 60 Countries
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Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
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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.
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I have friend’s photos and none of them have Exif data, so this article is out of date.
Exif data is stripped away when the criminals use screengrabbing to copy the photo. Also social media platforms strip them off as well. But if the scammers steal the photos direct from the persons own website, as in the case with porn stars then they appear. It is not really obsolete, it always had limited value, but not zero.
I had a same problem and lost my life savings. All money transfer to here in USA I have all names and account numbers, but they told me after the money want out from USA. No way to take back the money from each person account? I need help for this.
This is your starting point – https://romancescamsnow.com/for-new-scam-victims/
You can do a Reverse lookup on the scammers address or use a google image search.
It’s 2020 and unfortunately there are still a lot of online scams out there and this has become a pandemic. Recently I was a victim of a new email scam that got me into debt. I never saw it coming. It all look legitimate until I discovered it. I had to report to my local law enforcement through Losangelesacfe@gmail,com and the perpetrator was arrested. It’s a lot safer when you know what to look out for. These criminals will never be stopped if us,the victims keep quiet. If you have been affected by online romance scams and mail scams, report your case with the agency. Stay safe
Scams continue because people do not have a real sense of risks and do not learn to be safe. Sadly, people only seek out the information after they become a victim – but we are working on it
Estoy hablando ahora mismo con alguien y estoy segura que es un estafador, solo que no logro tener Pleno convencimiento de ello, aun no me pide dinero, pero hay varias características como qué es un médico militar chino en un mision de paz en Ucrania.
Please do a check on “Albert Walker” on facebook. ugh. He’s duping my friend into believing he’s really coming to visit next month. Can’t wait to hear what type of “Emergency” he’ll come up with and need her to send money to help him. I hate this stuff!
See our guide on Interventions https://www.romancescamsnow.com/dating-scams/rsn-guide-to-relatives-in-total-denial/
I am so concerned for my friend. She has already given money to a man she fell in “love” with even though they never met. He didn’t actually ask for the money so that is the twist. They had numerous telephone conversations which created a bond. She is a compassionate woman. He revealed information to her that convinced her that he was for real. One item was his bank account statement that revealed that he is a “rich” man. He gave her the hard luck story that Turkey required some kind of tax for the business that he ran there, and they wouldn’t let him leave. So she gave him the first large sum and he was supposed to have paid her back when he returned home, but on the way to the airport he got into an accident or so he said. A little boy was hurt so he stayed behind and helped the family with hospital bills etc. Then the boy died so he was arrested. His attorney called my friend and informed her that unless he can get enough money to pay off certain people in their legal system, he won’t be able to come back to America. She is actually considering giving him more money so he can come home to her.
Something to prove that he is a fake would be helpful. I already looked up his name on google and nothing that matches shows up. I put in a bunch of names of people I know exist, and matches showed up for them but nothing for George Giovanni from San Diego California. Information from a reputable source rather than from a fellow senior has more of a chance of convincing her that this man is a fake. Help me convince her please before she ends up making herself destitute. She is a widow and misses having a man to take care of in her life. The person she met on the dating site must have said all the right stuff because she is stuck in la la land and still believes that he will be coming back to reimburse her. HELP!