SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
DANGER – THE ADVENT OF CYBER INVESTIGATORS
Cybercriminals operate the world over. We know this.
Cybercriminals steal billions of dollars from individuals around the world. We all know this too!
This is a problem of epic proportions with as many as a million new victims in 2016 alone.
Like all areas of economic activity, this creates an environment for business – some honest some not. Some are specific service businesses that claim to help victims. Some actually do help victims (like us).
In fact there are many such businesses. Some are for profit, some are not for profit, some are free.
Our own company (Romance Scams Now) offers its services for free. SCARS is another non-profit organization that also offers its services for free to victims.
While we have no problem or issues with fundraising activities that are honest and transparent, we have issues with those that are not.
Here are examples of dishonest business activities:
- People that claim that they go to African countries and get scammers arrested with or without a fee.
- People that claim they can get any part of the victim’s money back – with or without a fee.
There are also honest – as in legitimate businesses registered in their country that are also a concern:
Online or Internet Private Detectives
This is a new class of business that has emerged in the last year that claims to assist victims with their scam. In many cases they do provide services, such as: identification of IP address location, and confirmation where the scam originated. They can also act on your behalf with your local authorities.
Unfortunately, these private detectives have no power to get your money back from Africa, or elsewhere. They also have no ability to get someone arrested. The world simply does not work that way,
If you have been a victim, regardless of how frustrating it may be, there are no magic answers. No one is going to save you from the consequences of your actions. No one is going to recover your money or get justice for you most of the time …
UNLESS the criminal is in a Western Country. Even then, the only reliable enforcement is when they are IN YOUR COUNTRY. Then you local police can and will act. But those are less than 1% of all the online scams. So the odds are not good.
There are a couple of exceptions, such as Scammers that operate in the Philippines – since these are mostly real people, money can sometimes be recovered. But they are mostly not.
You need to recognize that you made a terrible mistake that you now need to work through. You need to focus on the financial impact and the emotional impact of the scam. Your recovery is really the only thing you have control of. The more you dwell on the scammer, the longer it will take you to recover and move on.
This is not a satisfying answer, but it is the simple truth.
You can pay an investigator thousands but in the end all you have are more questions. You can get those same answers right here for free.
And never listen to anyone that tells you a story about how they go to Africa to get scammers brought to justice. The vast majority of them are liars or worse.
Members of our team have been there and made the attempt over the years. But these countries are neither safe nor responsive. You are just as likely to be targeted by a gang as you are to get a local police to listen to you. These are countries riddled with terrorists and people who care nothing about killing a foreigner. This is fact and the rest is fantasy.
The only way you can get a scammer arrested in their country is if your national police make the trip – without you in most cases – to set up a sting, but in these cases only one or two scammers are arrested. That is a drop in the bucket, which is why American or European police so rarely do it.
We are sorry to say this but you should expect no significant support from law enforcement (unless the scammer is in your country), and no justice.
You should focus on recovering emotionally and leave it at that. Because in the end that is the way forward.
We sincerely understand where you are, since we are also victims, but fantasies just make it harder to recover.
All our best wishes for you.
Sincerely,
The RSN Team
-/ 30 /-
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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.
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